JACK  HARKAWAYS 


ESCAPE  FROM  THE  BRIGANDS 


BRACEBRIDGE     HEMYNG 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA 
LOS  ANGELES 


7 


JACK  HARKAWAY'S 
ESCAPE  FROM 
THE  BRIGANDS 


BEING  THE  CONCLUSION  OF 
"JACK  HARKAWAY  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS" 


BY 

BRACEBRIDGE  HEMYNG 


CHICAGO 
M.  A.  DONOHUE  &  COMPANY 

407-429  DEARBORN  STREET 


M.  A.    DONOHUE  &.   COMPANY 

PRINTERS  AND    BINDERS 

4O7-429    DEARBORN    STREET 

CHICAOO 


PZ7 


JACK   HARKAWAY'S  ESCAPE 

FROM  THE  BRIGANDS. 


TWO    MUCH-MARRIED   MEN. 

HAD  a  bomb-shell  fallen  in  the  midst  of  the  three  friends» 
it  could  not  have  created  greater  consternation  than  this 
announcement. 

"Jack  taken!"  cried  Harvey,  dismally. 

"Harkaway    nobbled!"    said    the    little    coxswain,    blankly. 
"Our    leader    in    limbo!"    cried    Garden,    angrily.     "I'll    not 
believe  it.     Where  did  you  get  the  news,  Mr.  Molef" 
"In   Monday's   room.     I — I    go   there   occasionally   to   have 
a  chat  with  the  black,  as  I  am  so  well  acquainted  with  his 
country  and  all  that." 

He  forgot  to  say  Monday  supplied  him  with  liquor  ad  lib., 
as  well  as  filling  his  cask  for  him  whenever  he  went  out  to  take 
a  siesta  in  the  shady  part  of  the  garden. 

"Jack    taken!"    said    Harvey    again.     "Well,   I'm    flabber- 
gasted!" 

"It's  knocked  me  into  a  three-cornered  hat,"  cried  Walter. 
"Who  told  Monday?"  asked  Tom  Garden. 

The  practical  mind  of  the  ex-captain  of  the  Oxford  eight 
would  not  be  satisfied  until  it  had  got  to  the  bottom  of  this 
alarming  rumor. 
"I'll  tell  you  all  I  know  willingly,"  answered  Mr.  Mole. 

The  three  young  men  bent  forward  in  their  anxiety  to  hear 
what  he  had  to  say. 

They  had  not  expected   this  cruel   stroke  of  fortune.     Nor 
could  they  yet  bring  themselves  to  believe  it. 
Jack  Harkaway  taken  prisoner  by  the  brigandsl 

4841" 

LIBRARY 


6          JACK  HARKA  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS, 

Jack  in  the  power  of  Barboni ! 

It  seemed  impossible. 

So  quiet  was  everyone  when  Mr.  Mole  began  to  speak, 
that  you  might  have  heard  a  pin  drop. 

"  There  is  a  little  man  down  stairs,"  said  Mr.  Mole,  "  who, 
I  am  informed  by  Monday,  practised  in  England  the  sartorial 
art." 

"  Talk  plain  English,"  replied  Garden,  impetuously. 

"  My  dear  Garden,  why  this  impulsiveness  ?  "  said  Mr. 
Mole,  blandly. 

"  Because  I  hate  rot  of  that  sort." 

"  Sartor  in  Latin,  is  tailor :  therefore,  sartorial  means  re- 
lating to  the  trade  of  a  tailor.  Have  you  so  soon  forgot- 
ten your  Latin  ? — but  it  is  just  like  you  boating  men." 

"  He  means  Bigamini,"  replied  Harvey. 

"  Yes,  that  is  his  benighted  name.  The  creature  calls  him- 
self Bigamini,  though  why  he  should  apply  such  a  strange 
appellation  to  himself  is  more  than  your  humble  servant, 
Isaac  Mole,  can  discover." 

"Why  do  some  people  call  themselves  Moles?"  said  the 
little  coxswain. 

"  Sir,"  replied  Mr.  Mole,  turning  sharply  round. 

"Go  on  with  your  story,  quick." 

"  I  beg  your  pardon  ;  you  did  me  the  honour  to  address 
an  observation  to  me." 

"  Did  I  ?  " 

"  Undoubtedly,  and  it  was  not  of  a  very  flattering  nature, 
I  will  thank  you  to  explain  it." 

"I  didn't  mean  anything,"  said  the  little  coxswain,  with  a 
subdued  groan. 

"  Men  should  never  say  what  they  don't  mean  ;  and  re- 
member, if  you  please,  Mr.  Gampbell,  when  you  next  address 
me,  that  you  are  speaking  to  a  universitv  man,  a  scholar,  and 
I  trust  a  gentleman." 

"  Really  I " 

"Shut  up,  Walter,"  said  Harvey.  "What's  the  use  of 
riling  Mole  ? " 

"Be  quiet,  young  one,"  replied  Garden.  "This  is  not  the 
proper  time  for  wrangling." 

"  Well  said,  indeed,  Garden,"  remarked  Mr.  Mole.  "  I 
think  that  Mr.  Campbell,  if  he  wants  to  insult  me,  might 
choose  a  fitter  time  than  that  in  which  we  are  discussing  the 
probable  captivity  of  our  mutual  friend,  Harkaway." 


JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.  f 

*'  I  didn't  insult  you,"  said  the  little  coxswain. 

"  Pardon,  me,  you  did." 

"  How  ? " 

"You  asked  me 

"  Look  here,"  interrupted  Garden,  "  are  we  coming  to  the 
point  or  not  ?  What  is  this  about  Harkaway  ?  " 

"  Bigamini  says  that  he  has  been  captured  by  Barboni," 
answered  Mr.  Mole. 

"  That's  what  I  want  to  get  at.  Harvey,  will  you  kindly 
send  for  Bigamini,  if  he  is  down  stairs  with  Monday?" 
exclaimed  Garden. 

Harvey  rang  the  bell,  and  the  little  tailor  was  sent  for. 

He  came  into  the  room,  bowing  profoundly,  first  to  the 
ladies  and  then  to  the  gentlemen. 

At  intervals  of  short  duration,  he  put  a  handkerchief  to 
his  eyes  as  if  he  wished  to  mop  away  a  tear. 

Altogether  Bigamini  seemed  most  profoundly  affected. 

<l  Gentlemen,  your  most  obedient,"  he  exclaimed. 

"What  is  this  you  have  been  saying  about  Mr.  Hark- 
away  ? "  inquired  Tom  Garden,  who  took  upon  himself  at 
once  the  office  of  spokesman. 

Bigamini  did  the  mop  business  with  more  energy  than 
ever. 

First  he  wiped  one  eye  with  a  dab,  and  then  he  wiped  the 
other  with  two  dabs. 

This  was  intended  to  be  expressive  of  great  grief. 

Then  he  blew  his  nose  violently. 

l'  Very  sorry,  sir,"  he  exclaimed,  "but  I'm  the  messenger 
of  bad  tidings." 

"What  tidings?" 

"  I  happened  to  look  in  at  the  Cafe  di  Europa,  and  the 
one  topic  of  conversation  was  the  capture  of  Mr.  Harkaway 
by  the  brigands." 

"  Is  that  all  you  know  ?  "  eagerly  inquired  Garden. 

"  Yes,  sir." 

"They  say  that  Mr.  Harkaway  is  captured  by  Barboni," 
said  Garden. 

"  Yes,  sir,"  replied  Bigamini,  again. 

"  I  told  you  it  was  the  common  talk  of  Naples,"  put  in 
Mole. 

"Oh,  oh  !— Boo  — oo  — o!"  sobbed  Bigamini.  "  If  I 
inignt  be  allowed  the  blessed  privilege  to  lay  down  my  life 
for  my  generous  benefactor — oo — ooo ! " 


J         JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

His  handkerchief  was  again  in  requisition,  and  he  nearly 
bunged  his  eyes  up  by  dabbing  at  them. 

"  Have  you  had  any  certain  intelligence  about  the  alleged 
capture  ?  "  asked  Garden. 

"  No,  sir ;  only  hearsay.     Boo — oo — oo." 

"  Stop  that  blubbering.     Is  that  all  you  can  tell  us  ? " 

"  You  know  as  much  as  I  do,  sir.  Oh,  if  I  could  only  die 
for " 

"  Go  down  stairs." 

"You  don't  believe  me,  sir,  because  I'm  a  miserable 
Bigamini ;  but  if  what  I  hear  is  true,  I'm  not  the  only  one  in 
this  room  who  has  married  two  wives." 

The  little  tailor  darted  a  significant  look  at  Mole. 

"  Go  down  stairs,  I  tell  you,"  exclaimed  Garden,  "  and 
ask  Monday  to  give  you  some  refreshment." 

"  Thank  you  kindly,  sir.     My  wives  were  white,  and " 

"  Be  off. 

Bigamini  again  wiped  his  eyes,  bowed  profoundly  to  them, 
and  then  quitted  the  room. 

"  Shut  that  door  after  you,"  exclaimed  the  little  coxswain. 

"I  will  do  that,"  said  Mr.  Mole;  "this  man  spoke  about 
wives.  Do  you  think  he  meant  to  insult  me  ?  " 

"I  don't  know,  and  I  don't  care,"  replied  Walter;  "  all  I 
can  think  of  now  is  Harkaway's  position." 

"  Do  you  insult  me  again  ?     If  I  thought " 

"Leave  us,  please,  Mr.  Mole,  to  talk  the  matter  over," 
said  Harvey. 

"  Certainly,  but— 

"If  you  can't  help  us,  don't  upset  us,"  said  the  coxswain. 

"  My  dear,  good  sir,  do  please  go  away  ;  this  is  no  time  for 
foolishness,"  said  Tom  Garden.  "  If  Harkaway  is  really 
captured,  we  must  be  off  to-night  to  try  and  rescue  him." 

Garden,  Harvey,  and  the  little  coxswain  immediately  re 
tired  into  a  corner  of  the  room,  and  became  absorbed  iir 
an  animated  conversation. 

Mr.  Mole  descended  the  stairs,  threaded  the  passage,  and 
entered  Monday's  pantry  with  the  professed  object  of  seeing 
if  he  could  "  pump  "  Bigamini. 

Bigamini  was  seated  in  a  chair,  holding  in  his  hand  a  glass 
of  wine. 

He  looked  up  impudently  as  Mr.  Mole  made  his  appear' 
ance. 

"  Monday,"  said  Mr.  Mole,  "  who  is  this  man  ? " 


JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.  9 

"  Um  little  harmless  fellow  they  call  Bigamini,  sare,"  replied 
Monday. 

"  Do  you  know  anything  about  him  ?." 

"  Him  got  um  two  wives,  sare." 

"Indeed?  He  ought  to  be  punished.  He  is  not  the  sort 
of  person  to  be  encouraged  in  this  house,  Monday. 

"  You  shut  up,"  said  Bignmini.  "  My  wives  are  white, 
and  you've  got  two  black  ones,  you  old  Mormonite." 

Mr.  Mole  turned  pale  with  rage. 

"  Monday !  "  he  exclaimed. 

"  Yes,  sare." 

"You  heard  what  he  called  me.  Me,  Isaac  Mole,  a 
Bachelor  of  Arts,  and  a  Doctor  of  Laws !  He  called  me  a 
Mormonite  !  " 

"  So  you  are,"  shouted  Bigamini. 

"Turn  him  out,  Monday,"  said  Mr.  Mola. 

"  Him  too  strong,  sare." 

"  He  called  me  a  very  opprobrious  name." 

"  So  you  are,"  replied  Bigamini. 

"I  command  you,  Monday,  to  eject  that  objectionable  in- 
dividual," said  Mr.  Mole. 

"  If  you  start,  sare,  Monday  give  um  help,"  answered  the 
black,  with  a  grin. 

"  I !  "  said  Mr.  Mole,  with  a  look  of  supreme  disdain.  "  I 
wouldn't  soil  my  fingers  with  such  carrion." 

"  Sir,"  said  Bigamini,  "  I  feel  that  right-minded  people  have 
a  right  to  despise  me." 

"  I  do  despise  you,"  answered  Mole. 

"  You  have  no  right  to  do  so." 

"  Why  ?  " 

"  I  am  a  miserable  Bigamini.  Once  I  was  a  happy  Smif- 
fins.  You,  too,  are  a  miserable  Bigamini,  because  you,  like 
myself,  have  married  two  wives." 

"  Fellow  !  "  said  Mole,  indignantly. 

"  Fellow  yourself,"  replied  Bigamini.  "  I'm  not  going  to 
knuckle  down  to  you." 

"  Beware  !  "  cried  Mole,  threateningly. 

"I'm  as  good  as  you  are." 

"  My  wives  are  dead.  They  were  drowned  at  sea,  I  am 
thankful  to  say." 

"That  don't  do  away  with  the  bigamy.     You've  done  it." 

"Do  you  dare  to  place  your  contemptible  self  on  a  level 
with  me  ? " 


10        JACK  HARKA  WA  Y  AMONG  Til!-:  BRIGANDS. 

"  We  are  both  victims  of  an  unfortunate  passion.  '  Oh, 
love,  scrumptious  love  ! '  I  say." 

"  What  ? " 

"  Isn't  it  funny  when  you  feel  that  way  ?  Oh,  crumbs ! 
When  I  first  saw  my  second  !  Yum  !  yum  !  "  returned  Biga- 
mini. 

He  got  up  and  danced  about  wildly,  as  if  the  recollection 
was  too  much  for  him. 

"  I  say,"  he  said  again,  stopping  before  Mr.  Mole. 

"  Ruffian !  do  you  presume  to  speak  to  your  betters ? '  said 
Mr.  Mole. 

"  Betters  !     I  can't  see  them.     Where  are  they  ? " 

"Silence!" 

"  Monday,  my  sable  friend,"  said  Bigamini,  "  be  quiet,  and 
stop  that  grinning.  Silence  in  the  pig  market,  and  let  that 
old  boar  speak  first." 

"This  is  too  much  !  "cried  Mole,  beside  himself  with  rage. 

"Go  it,  old  beans  !     You're  kind  and  I'm  grateful." 

"  Vulgar  and  contemptible  bigamist,  mind  your  eye  !  " 
shouted  Mole. 

The  next  moment  Bigamini  had  rolled  under  the  table, 
and  saw  stars. 

In  a  moment  he  was  up  again  and  rubbing  his  eye. 

"  What  did  you  do  that  for  ? "  he  asked,  ruefully. 

"  To  check  your  impertinence.     Let  it  be  a  lesson  to  you.' 

"  You've  damaged  my  peepers." 

"  I  meant  to,  sir." 

"Do  you  think  I'm  going  to  stand  this?"  exclaimed 
Bigamini.  "Look  out,  sir.  I'm  coming.  Who's  afraid?" 

The  next  minute  they  were  at  it,  hammer  and  tongs. 

"  Go  it,  one  !  go  it,  t'other !  Hit  um  up,  sare,"  cried 
Monday,  laughing  till  the  tears  ran  down  his  cheeks. 

Bigamini  was  more  active  than  Mr.  Mole,  but  the  latter 
was  taller,  and  he  warded  off  his  antagonist's  blows  pretty 
well. 

Suddenly  Bigamini  sat  down  and  began  to  rub  his  stomach. 

"  Ah,  how  um  like  that  ?  "  asked  Monday. 

"  That  was  a  body  blow,  I  flatter  myself,"  said  Mole,  re- 
garding the  little  tailor  complacently. 

"  What  did  you  hit  below  the  line  for  ?  "  asked  Bigamini. 

"  What  line  ?  " 

"  The  stomach  line.  You  hit  below  the  belt,  governor, 
It  ain't  fair.  You're  a  coward,  that's  what  you  is." 


JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.          \  i 

"  That  took  his  wind,  eh,  Monday  ?  "  said  Mole. 

"  You  hyked  me  in  the  grummet,"  continued  Bigamini, 
"and  I'll  slate  you  for  it  presently.  You  don't  think  I'm 
going  to  stand  hyking  in  the  grummet  by  the  likes  of  you." 

"  Come  on,  my  worthy  friend  ;  I  hope  you  like  it,"  replied 
Mole. 

Bigamini  rose,  with  a  gasp  of  pain,  and  clenching  his  fists, 
ran  again  at  his  opponent. 

"  Spile  urn  beauty,  sare.  Paint  um  ugly  face,"  replied 
Monday. 

"  Such  is  my  pious  intention,"  answered  Mole. 

Another  round  took  place,  the  result  of  which  was  that 
Bigamini  got  well  on  to  the  nose,  and  Mr.  Mole  measured 
his  lenglh  on  the  floor. 

"  That's  one  on  the  conk.  All  fair  and  square.  First 
blood  to  me,"  remarked  Bigamini. 

"  Monday,  give  me  wine  and  wipe  my  nose.  It  bleeds 
overmuch,"  said  Mole,  in  piteous  accents. 

Monday  lifted  him  up,  and  gave  him  a  duster  to  apply  to 
his  injured  nose,  and  handed  him  a  tumbler  of  iced  wine. 

"  Persuade  that  contemptible  little  humbug  to  go  away," 
fcaid  Mole. 

"  I  shan't,"  answered  Bigamini. 

"  It  will  be  best  for  him.     I  shall  hurt  him  if  he  don't  go." 

"  Now  then,"  said  Monday,  "  you  can  vamoose." 

"Not  I,"  replied  Bigamini,  boldly. 

"  Clear  out  this  caboose  !  "  cried  Monday. 

"  My  valiant  representative  of  a  persecuted  and  fallen 
race,"  said  Bigamini,  "  I " 

"What  um  call  me  ?" 

"  Valiant  offspring  of  a  line  of  kings." 

"  Um  like  that  better,"  said  Monday. 

"Will  you  allow  the  ninth  part  of  a  JT» an  to  mock  you, 
Monday  ? "  said  Mr.  Mole. 

"  Think  um  chaffing,  sare  ? " 

"  I  am  sure  of  it.     Turn  him  out." 

"  Now  then,  clear  um  track,"  said  Monday,  threateningly. 

"  I  go  ;  use  no  further  violence,"  replied  Bigamini.  "  Mr. 
Mole,  I  wish  you  good-night." 

"Good-night,"  replied  Mole,  mopping  his  nose. 

"  In  the  language  of  the  ancients,  I  say,  adoo." 

"Beoffl"  ' 

"  I  slope,  but  ere  I  go  I  could  wish  to  drink  a  glass  with 


12        JACK  HARK  A  WAY  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

you,  just  to  show  there  is  no  animosity.  We'rt  both 
Bigaminis.  And  I  say " 

"  What  ? " 

"  Isn't  it  funny  *   en  you  fee!  that  way  ?  " 

Bigamini  'jegan  to  whistle  a  popular  air,  and  gaily  danced 
out  of  the  room. 

Stopping  at  the  door,  he  put  his  finger  on  his  nose  and 
said — 

"When  we  marry  our  third,  won't  it  be? — you  know. 
Yum  !  yum  !  " 

With  which  enigmatical  sentence,  he  again  pirouetted 
out  into  the  passage,  and  so  into  the  street. 

Scarcely  had  he  quitted  the  door  of  the  house  than  he 
stopped  short. 

It  seemed  as  if  he  was  transfixed  with  horror  and  dismay. 

He  was  rooted  to  the  spot. 

His  arms  hung  listlessly  by  his  side,  his  lower  jsw 
dropped,  and  his  short,  stubbly  hair  had  a  decided  tendency 
to  stand  on  end. 

His  knees  knocked  together,  as  if  he  had  been  living  in 
the  marshes  of  the  Campagna,  and  had  caught  the  ague. 

In  front  of  him  was  a  woman. 

She  was  not  a  Neapolitan. 

Her  dress  was  a  cotton  print,  her  shawl  was  redolent  of 
the  New  Cut,  and  she  carried  a  baggy-looking  umbrella,  which 
looked  as  if  it  was  usually  suspended  over  an  apple-stall. 

It  was  this  woman  who  had  frightened  Bigamini. 

If  she  weighed  a  stone,  she  was  at  least  sixteen,  and  her 
fat  puffy  cheeks  glowed  with  walking  in  the  air,  which, 
though  it  was  evening,  was  close  and  stifling. . 

The  women  grounded  her  umbrella  as  a  soldier  does 
his  rifle,  and  took  a  long,  steady  look  at  Bigamini. 

Then  she  made  a  rush  at  him. 

•'  Yah  !  "  she  exclaimed.     "  I've  got  him." 

The  next  instant  she  held  him  tightly  by  the  arm. 

Then  she  let  him  go,  and  began  to  box  his  ears  soundly. 

"  You  wretch  !  "  she  said,  "  I  swore  I'd  follow  you  to  the 
hend  of  the  hearth,  and  I've  found  you  at  last,  amongst  the 
garlic-eating  furrineers,  and  the  hussies  as  I've  often  'card 
on,  but  never  seen  before." 

Bigamini  uttered  a  howl,  and  ran  as  quickly  as  he  could 
into  the  house  again. 

Mr.  Mole  had  stopped  the  bleeding  of  his  nose,  and  was 


JACK  HARKA  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.       ^ 

standing  in  front  of  the  cupboard  where  Monday  kept  his 
bottles. 

"  My  friend,"  he  said,  "we'll  liquor  up.  Let  us  indulge 
after  that  bout  of  arms,  in  which  I  think  I  may  claim  to  be 
victorious." 

"'  What  um  row  in  um  street,  sare  ?  "  asked  Monday. 

*'  I  know  not.  Ah  !  here  is  that  thief  of  a  Biganj>ni  come 
back  Monday,  protect  me  !  I  call  upon  you." 

Bigamini,  however,  had  not  much  fight  left  in  him.  If  he 
had  seen  a  ghost,  he  could  not  have  looked  more  scared. 

"  Jehosophat  !  "  he  exclaimed.     "  Ain't  this  a  go  ?  " 

'  What  ?  "  asked  Monday,  who  had  taken  a  pipe. 

'  Have  you  got  a  hole  a  poor  devil  can  creep  into  ? " 

'  What  for  ? " 

'  I've  seen  my  wife  !  " 

'  Oh,  Lord  !  "  exclaimed  Mr.  Mole.  "  I  can  pity  him. 
Which  one  is  it — the  first  or  the  second  ? " 

"  The  first,  worse  luck.     Second's  ail  right." 

"  Hide  him,  Monday,  hide  him !  We  are  not  bereft  of 
Christian  kindness,  I  hope,"  said  Mole,  feelingly. 

"  Here/  said  Monday,  "  come  under  this  table.  Quick 
with  um." 

Bigamini  would  gladly  have  done  as  he  was  told. 

But  he  was  too  late. 

His  wife  had  followed  closely  on  his  track. 

Mrs.  Smiffins  was  at  his  heels. 

She  bursf  into  the  room,  and  saying,  "  Here,  you  ass, 
wretch,  beast,  brute ! "  began  tr>  belabour  him  with  her 
bloated-looking  gingham. 

"  Oh,  you  bad  man  !  "  she  said.  "  Oh,  you  cruel  wretch  { 
Oh  !  you  savage  monster  ! " 

Each  ipithet  was  a-^ompanied  by  a  blow. 

"  Leave  off,  Sar&«  Ann  ! "  cried  the  wretched  man. 

"  Never  until  you  down  on  your  knees  and  'umbly  beg 
my  pardin£.:' 

'?!  do,  I  do." 
'  Oh,  Smiffins,  how  could  you  do  it  ? "  the  said. 

The  little  man  fell  on  his  kness  befcX  e  her,  and  held  up 
his  hands  in  an  attitude  of  supplication. 

"  I  was  druv  to  it,"  he  said. 

"  What  ? " 

Again  the  umbiella  was  brought  into  requisition. 

'•'  I  say,  leave  off  basting.     J*  hurts,"  said  Bigamiri. 


I4        JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONC,   TffE  BKIGANDS. 

"  How  could  you  'ave  the  'art,  that's  what  I  want  to  know  ? 
'Adn't  you  as  good  a  business,  and  as  good  a  wife  as  hany 
man  could  wish  to  'ave  ?  Oh,  you  beast — (blow).  Oh,  you 
little  dirty  beast  "  (another  blow). 

"  Leave  off,  Sarah  Ann." 

"I  shan't.  What  do  you  mean  by  it?"  replied  Mrs. 
Smiffins. 

"  I  don't  mean  nothing.'' 

"  'Aven't  1  followed  you  through  thick  and  thin  into  this 
furrin  country,  being  'elped  by  detectives,  has  hi  hem- 
ployed  to  trace  you  out  ?" 

Bigamini  made  no  answer. 

"  Hain't  the  bisniss  gone  to  wrack  and  ruin  ?  " 

"  Still  so  gently  o'er  me  stealing,"  said  Bigamini,  changing 
his  tactics.  "  Oh,  those  much  loved  tones.  Oh,  that  sweet 
Toice." 

"  It  ain't  sweet.  I'm  'usky  with  a  cold,"  replied  practical 
Mrs.  Smiffins. 

Again  she  beat  him  savagely. 

"Don't  go  on  a-gamping  me  with  that  thing.  I  won't 
stand  it,"  answered  Bigamini. 

"  You  wretch  !  won't  you  ?  What  do  you  say  to  this  ?  Hit's 
a  warrant  for  your  arrest.  You've  committed  bigamy,  and 
I  can  lock  you  up." 

Bigamini  began  to  tremble  again. 

"  My  dear,  be  quiet.     You're  the  only  girl  2  ever  loved." 

"Loved,"  cried  Mrs.  Smiffins  in  a  tone  of  supreme  disdain. 

"  Yes,  my  darling,  fondly  loved." 

"  Perhaps  you've  got  another  'ussy  over  'ere." 

"  No,  my  sweetest  pet,  my  own  lamb,  my  fond  dove." 

"  Hit's  my  hopinion  you're  a  perjured  liar,"  said  Mrs. 
Smiffins. 

"And  this  is  married  life,"  sighed. Bigamini.     "Oh,  my!" 

"  Don't  sigh  and  groan." 

"  I  ain't  a-sighing  and  a-groaning." 

"Yes,  you  are.  Don't  contradict  me,  or  I'll  let  you  know 
tlu  reason  why." 

"  Sarah  Ann,"  said  Bigamini,  still  crouching  before  the 
formidable  being  with  the  big  umbrella. 

"Well?" 

"  I'm  a  repentant  being." 

"A  what?" 

'*  I've  seen  the  herror  and  folby  of  my  ways." 


JACK  HARK  AW  AY  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.      15 

"Not  you." 

"So  'elp  me  Bob,  I  have.  Oh!  Sarah  Ann,  kiss  her  own  Smif- 
fins." 

"I  hain't  hagoing  to  do  nothing  of  the  sort  until  I  see  if  this 
is  ginnywine  or  not,"  replied  Sarah  Ann,  flatly. 

"It  is;  upon  my  bended  knees  I  swear  it.  Oh!  Sarah  Ann, 
the  strong  should  always  be  merciful.  Kiss  her  own  Smiff." 

"Will  you  come  'ome  along  'o  mef" 

"Yes,  I  will.  But  where's — you  know — where's  number 
two,  the  wretched  woman  who  beguiled  me  and  stole  me  from 
youf" 

"She's  in  the'ospital,"  replied  Mrs.  Smiffins,  calmly. 

"Inthe'ospital!" 

"Yes;  she  and  me  met  one  night  in  the  New  Cut,  and  I  went 
for  her  with  the  goose.  She's  been  very  bad  ever  since.  They 
say  her  leg's  broken,  and  one  eye's  out.  and  her  left  arm'll 
never  be  of  any  use  to  her  no  more." 

This  terrible  announcement  of  the  awful  fate  which  had  be- 
fallen the  second  wife  of  the  unhappy  Bigamini  had  a  pecu- 
liar effect  upon  him. 

He  danced  with  rage,  and  actually  struck  his  better  half 
in  the  eye. 

"What,"  he  said,  as  she  fell  into  Mr.  Mole's  arms,  "you  have 
done  that,  have  you?  Hang  me,  if  I  don't  serve  you  the  same. 
Get  out ;  be  off !  Vanish ! " 

The  spirit  he  plucked  up  all  at  once  was  wonderful. 

"'E's  'it  me.  Oh!  the  brute.  It  ain't  the  first  time  though. 
I'll  lock  him  up  for  it.  Call  a  police." 

"Bother  the  police,"  replied  Bigamini.  "Hold  her  tight, 
Mr.  Mole;  we're  fellow-sufferers;  hold  her  like  a  man." 

"It's  all  very  well  to  say  hold  her,"  said  Mr.  Mole,  "but  she's 
heavy,  and  I  don't  like  other  men's  leavings.  Perhaps  she'll 
fasten  on  to  me." 

"I'd  do  the  same  for  you.  Don't  be  downhearted;  stick  on 
to  her." 

"Will  hef     I'd  like  to  see  him,"  said  Mrs.  Smiffins. 

She  twisted  herself  out  of  Mr.  Mole's  grasp,  and,  dealing 
him  a  blow  with  her  umbrella,  added — 

"You're  another  of  them,  are  youf     Take  that,  and  that." 

"My  dear  madam,"  said  Mr.  Mole,  putting  his  hands  over 
his  he«»d  to  protect  it. 

'TH  let  you  know." 


l6        JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

"  After  urn,"  said  Monday,  eagerly.  "  Go  'long,  mum. 
He's  gone.  Sharp's  um  word." 

Mrs.  Smiffins  left  off  belabouring  Mr.  Mole,  and  ran  after 
her  husband. 

She  overtook  him  in  the  street,  but,  doubling,  he  gave  he* 
the  slip,  and  was  soon  tearing  up  the  street. 

Mrs.  Smiffins,  who  had  followed  him  all  the  way  from 
London  on  the  strength  of  information  supplied  by  detec- 
tives, endeavoured  to  overtake  him. 

Her  efforts  were  vain. 

He  flew  on  the  wings  of  the  wind,  and  she  returned  to 
the  hotel  where  she  was  lodging,  determined  to  be  on  the 
•ookout  for  him  next  day. 

Mr.  Mole  was  glad  to  be  released  from  such  a  termagant. 

"  Monday,"  he  said  timidly,  "  is  that  she  fiend  gone  ? " 

"  Yes,  sare  ;  um  gone  right  enough." 

"  Thank  heaven  for  that  crowning  mercy  replied  Mr. 
Mole.  "  Give  me  some  more  wine,  my  sable  Ganymede.  Be 
my  cup-bearer,  Monday." 

"  Yes,  sare,"  replied  Monday. 

"  Here's  confusion  to  all  women,  married  or  unmarried,1' 
said  Mr.  Mole. 

"  Not  all,  sare,"  replied  Monday,  with  a  grin. 

"  I  don't  know.  There  may  be  some  good  women,  but  111 
be  jiggered  if  I've  had  the  luck  to  meet  with  any  of  them, 
Monday." 

"  That's  because  you  don't  look  in  the  right  place>  sare.' 

There  was  a  knock  at  the  door. 

"  Come  in  thar,"   said  Monday. 

His  wife  Ada  entered,  carrying  in  her  arms  young  Jack 
Harkaway. 

"  Ah  !  Mast'  Jack ;  'ow  um  do,  young  Mast'  Jack  ?  "  asked 
Monday,  patting  the  little  fellow  on  the  head. 

The  child  looked  up  and  crowed  at  him. 

"  He  frets  after  his  ma,"  said  Ada. 

"  Poor  dear ! "  cried  Mr.  Mole.  "  I  suppose  he  does. 
Bless  his  heart !  I  fear  he'll  have  to  fret  about  his  father 
>ext." 

"  Indeed !  Has  any  thing  happened  to  Mr.  Harkaway, 
;ir  ? " 

"  There  is  a  report  that  he's  captured  by  the  brigands." 

"  Oh,  dear  me !  What  bad  news  i "  e>  claimed  Ada,  in 
dismay. 


JA  CK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.         1 7 

'•'- 1  hope  it  may  not  be  true,  but  it  would  be  sad  if  mother 
and  father  should  be  taken  prisoners  by  these  wretches." 

"  It's  a  pity  that  we  ever  left  England,  sir." 

"  So  it  is.  Never  mind.  At  the  last  moment  I  shall 
show  these  Naples  people  what  I  am  made  of,"  cried  Mr. 
Mole. 

"  You,  sir!" 

"  Yes,  my  dear.  I  will  rescue  Harkaway  and  his  wife  too, 
when  the  time  comes.  Wait  a  bit.  I  am  letting  Garden  and 
Harvey,  and  that  bumptious  little  man  they  call  the  cox- 
swain do  what  they  can,  and  in  due  time  I  shall  come  and 
show  them  what  I  can  do." 

"  Mist'  Mole,  him  do  it,"    said  Monday. 

"Yes,"  answered  Mole  grandly,  "  I'm  like  a  race-horse, 
and  always  come  with  a  rush  when  I'm  called." 

"  I  hope,  sir,  you  will  put  every  thing  right,"  answered  Ada, 
rocking  the  child  in  her  arms. 

He  was  a  fine  boy,  going  on  for  four  years  of  age. 

But  being  very  sleepy,  and  missing  his  father  and  mother, 
he  was  more  inclined  to  sleep  or  cry  than  talk. 

"  Now  my  little  man,"  said  Mr.  Mole,  "  how  do  you  find 
yourself?" 

The  little  fellow  looked  up  proudly. 

"  I  want  to  go  and  kill  brigands,"  he  said. 

"  What  for  ? " 

"  Because  they  keep  my  mamma  from  me.  Ada  told  me 
so,  and  if  my  papa  can't  kill  the  brigands,  I  should  like  to 
go  and  hit  them  with  my  whip,  and  shoot  them  with  my 
gun." 

Mr.  Mole  was  delighted  at  this  declaration  of  young  Jack 
Harkaway. 

"  Bravo,"  he  cried,  "the  youngster's  made  of  the  righf 
stuff,  eh  ?" 

"  Him  chip  of  um  old  block,  sare,  and  when  say  that,  can't 
say  any  more,"  answered  Monday. 

"  Bless  his  little  heart,"  said  Ada,  kissing  him;  "  he  for- 
gets nothing  he  hears." 

"  Good-night,"  said  Mr.  Mole.  "  Take  him  to  bed,  Ada, 
and  tell  him  we'll  soon  have  his  mamma  back." 

The  young  one  waved  his  hand. 

"  Ta,  ta,  Mole,"  he  said. 

Monday  laughed. 

"  Ain't  he  got  um  name  pat  ? "  he  exclaimed.  "  Oh,  he's 
2 


i8      JACK  HARK  AW  AY  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

a  wonder;  that  child  am  um  living  wonder,  and  young  Jack 

will  be  um  father  all  over." 

"Good-night,"  said  Mr.   Mole.     "Bye,  bye,  little  man,  only 

you  might  teach  him  to  put  the  mister  before  my  name.     I 

like  a  handle,  remember  that,  Mrs.  Matabella." 

Ada  bore  her  young  charge  away,  promising  that  he  should 
be  more  respectful  in  the  future. 

Mr.  Mole  poured  out  a  tumbler  of  wine,  which  he  drank 
carefully. 

"Monday,"  he  said,  "it's  my  opinion  that  child  will  turn 
out  a  regular  trump." 

"Never  had  no  doubt  umself,  sare." 

"To-morrow  I  shall  go  out  and  indulge  in  the  pleasant  excite- 
ment of  brigand -hunting." 

"You,  saref" 

"Yes,  sir." 

Mr.  Mole  threw  himself  in  the  arm-chair,  and  drank  a 
other  brimming  tumbler  of  iced  Lachryma  Christi. 

"This  wine  improves  on  acquaintance,"  he  said,  with  an 
appreciative  smack  of  the  lips.  "Do  you  know,  Monday,  I 
rather  like  Naples." 

"It  fine  place,  sare,  if  no  brigand  thief." 

"Bother  the  brigands!  What  are  they  after  all?  Why, 
I'd  undertake  to  eat  a  dozen  of  them  before  breakfast." 

"Brigand  rather  tough,  sare,"  said  Monday. 
It  happened  that  Mr.  Mole's  back  was  to  the  door. 
He  did  not  see  Garden,  Harvey,  and  the  little  coxswain, 
who  had  come  in  search  of  him. 

They  heard  him  say  that  he  would  eat  a  dozen  brigands 
before  breakfast,  and  stopping  short,  they  made  signs  to  Mon- 
day not  to  betray  their  presence,  while  they  remained  per- 
fectly quiet  in  the  doorway. 

"The  fact  is,"  said  Mr.  Mole,  lighting  a  cigarette,  "that  these 
Oxford  men  are  humbugs." 

"Mast'  Jack,  not  um  'umbug,  sare,  "  put  in  Monday. 

"Yes,  he  is.  A  humbug,  Monday,  is  a  man  who  pretends  to 
do  that  which  he  can't." 

"Mist'  Garden,  him  um  'umbug,  sare?" 

"Yes,  he's  the  biggest  humbug  of  the  whole  lot." 

"What  for  him  so  big?" 

"Didn't  I  see  the  brigand  beat  him  in  single  combat,  dis- 
arm him,  and  generously  give  him  his  life?" 

"Poor  Mist'  Garden,  him  bad  luck.'' 


JA  CK  HA  RKA  WAY  A  MONG  THE  BRIG  A  NDS.         \  9 

"  It  was  want  of  skill.  Do  you  think,  Matabella,  that  I 
would  have  accepted  my  life  on  those  terms  ?  " 

"  No,  sare.  you  brave  man,  sare." 

"  Of  course  I  am.  I  have  proved  my  bravery  on  a  hun- 
dred fields.  Give  me  some  more  of  that  excellent  tipple." 

"  What  um  think  of  Mist'  Harvey,  sare?"  asked  Monday, 
as  he  filled  his  glass. 

"  Harvey  has  his  good  points,  but  he  was  always  a  rank 
coward." 
-  "  And  um  little  coxswain,  sare?  " 

"Oh,  he's  a  Cambridge  man,  and  I  needn't  tell  you  that 
the  sight  of  blood  would  make  a  Cambridge  man  run  a  mile,'" 
answered  Mr:  Mole. 

Suddenly  the  three  university  men  stepped  forward. 

They  stood  before  the  astonished  Mole. 

"Hallo,  my  dear  boys  !  "  he  said,  cheerfully,  "  where  did 
you  spring  from  ?  This  is  an  unexpected  pleasure.  Just 
whiling  away  an  hour  in  a  little  friendly  chat  with  poor 
Monday." 

Garden  looked  fiercely  at  Mr.  Mole. 

"  So  I'm  the  biggest  humbug  of  the  lot,  am  I  ? "  he  said. 

"  Ha,  ha !  I  saw  you  listening,"  replied  Mole. 

"  Saw  me  ? " 

"  Yes.  I  saw  you,  you  sly  dog,  and  you  know  it  isn't  wise 
to  praise  a  man  before  his  eyes,  so  I  ran  you  down  for  thr 
fun  of  the  thing." 

"  And  I'm  a  rank  coward,  am  I  ?  "  said  Harvey, 

"  Chaff,  Harvey,  all  chaff." 

"  Whcic  do  you  mean,  by  saying  that  a  Cambridge  man 
will  run  a  mile  at  the  sight  of  blood  ?  "  demanded  the  little 
coxswain,  angrily. 

"  So  he  will,  Walter  ;  so  he  will." 

"  How  can  you  prove  it  ?  " 

"  My  dear  boy,  will  not  a  brave  man,  if  he  sees  blood 
being  shed,  run  a  mile,  or  two  rniJes,  to  succour  the  dis 
tressed  ? " 

"  That's  one  way  of  getting  out  of  it,"  said  Walter,  with  a 
Half  smile. 

"  Look  here,  boys,"  exclaimed  Mole  valiantly,  "  what  is 
the  use  of  squabbling  amongst  ourselves  ?  The  man  who 
can't  stand  chaff  isn't  worth  a  rap.  What  I  say  is,  let  r;.«  go 
and  rescue  Harkaway  and  his  wife." 

*'  That's  very  good  advice,"  replied  Garden. 


>tt         JACK  HARKA  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

'*  Let  me  be  your  leader,"  continued  Mole. 

u  Good  again,"  said  Harvey. 

"  I  will  lead  you  to  Torre  del  Greco.  We  will  search  the 
base  of  Mount  Vesuvius  together." 

"  Something  must  be  done,"  remarked  Garden. 

"  It  shall.  If  Jack  doesn't  turn  up  to-night,  we  will  starl 
together  to-morrow,  early,  and  let  our  motto  be " 

"  What  ? " 

"Jack  Harkaway,  and  success  to  ourselves." 

"  Mr.  Mole's  got  some  pluck  in  him,  after  all,"  observed 
Walter. 

"  His  heart's  in  the  right  place,"  replied  Harvey. 

"  He  can  fight  when  he  likes,  I  think,"  said  Garden. 

"  My  dear  fellows,  I  don't  want  to  crack  myself  up,  but 
I'm  as  bold  as  a  lion  when  occasion  requires,"  answered  Mr. 
Mole. 

"  Shake  hands,"  said  Garden  ;  "  we  will  rescue  Harkaway." 

The  dinner-bell  rang. 

"  Only  time  to  dress.  Don't  say  any  thing  to  frighten  the 
ladies,"  said  Harvey.  "  But  let  us  all  think  of  the  events  of 
to-morrow." 

Each  repeated  the  word  "To-morrow,"  and,  quitting 
Monday's  room,  they  went  up  stairs  to  prepare  for  dinner. 


CHAPTER  XLV. 

HOW    JACK  GOT    ON. 

WTHEN  Harkaway  quitted  his  companions  to  go  in  search 
of  the  brigand  chief,  he  mounted  his  horse  and  rode  slowly 
along  the  road  leading  to  Vesuvius. 

The  volcano  had  for  some  time  past  been  throwing  up 
ashes  and  jets  of  fire. 

An  eruption  was  expected. 

The  day  was  fine  and  clear  as  only  a  Neapolitan  sky  can  be. 

Jack  had  no  very  decided  plan  of  action. 

He  did  not  want  to  attack  the  brigands,  if  he  saw  them. 

His  hope  was  that  either  he  or  his  friends  would  find  out 
their  haunts,  and  be  able  to  capture  them  with  an  over- 
whelming force  of  soldiers. 


fACh    I  ARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.        21 

He  had  been  riding  for  a  couple  of  miles  or  more  with- 
out seeing  anyone  but  a  few  peaaantry. 

The  rich  vines,  weighed  dour,  with  their  ruby  fruit,  were 
to  be  seen  clinging  to  tree  ap.j  hedgerow. 

He  turned  out  of  the  high  ".oad  to  admire  the  scenery,  and 
went  across  country. 

The  huge  mountain  served  as  a  guide. 

It  stood  out  grandly  against  the  blue  sky,  and  seemed  to 
beckon  him  on  ;o  his  destination  with  invisible  arms. 

Suddenly  a  cheery  voice  exclaimed — 

"  Good-morning,  sir  ;  or,  as  they  say  here,  '  buon  giorno, 
signer.'  " 

It  was  Bigamlni. 

"  Ah,  my  prince  of  tailors  and  king  of  bigamists  !  "  replied 
Jack,  who  was  in  an  exultant  temper,  "you  have  come  in 
time  to  be  of  service  to  me." 

"  If  Mr.  Harkaway  requires  the  services  of  a  miserable 
Bigamini,  he  can  command  them,  for,  miserable  though  I 
am,  I  do  esteem  it  an  honour  to  do  any  thing  for  a  gentle- 
man and  a  countryman." 

"  Do  you  know  this  neighbourhood  ? "  asked  Jack. 

"  Indifferently  well,  sir.". 

"  I  have  heard  that  brigands  have  been  seen  about  here." 

"  I've  seen  them,  sir,"  answered  Bigamini,  lowering  his 
?oice  to  a  mysterious  whisper. 

"You?" 

"  Yes,  within  the  hour." 

"  Where  were  they  ? " 

"  Hiding  among  the  vines  on  the  Portid  road,  and  if  you 
take  my  tip,  sir,  you'll  turn  back  for  to-day." 

The  cunning  spy  knew  very  well  that  Jack  was  not  at  all 
likely  to  do  any  thing  of  the  sort. 

Danger  had  a  sort  of  fascination  for  him. 

He  had  come  out  to  find  the  brigands,  and  he  was  no" 
going  to  prove  himself  a  coward  at  the  first  alarm  and  return. 

In  his  belt  were  pistols,  in  his  holster  pistols,  and  he  car- 
ried a  clanking  sword,  as  well  as  a  rifle  slung  over  his 
ihoulder. 

What  had  he  to  fear  ? 

"  No,  my  little  friend,"  he  said,  "  I  will  not  go  back ;  that 
is  not  my  form." 

"  Well,  sir,  if  any  thing  should  happen,  you'll  admit  after- 
wards that  I  warned  you." 


22         JACK  HARKAWAY  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS 

'•'  Certainly." 

"  I'm  sorry  I  can't  come  with  you,  sir,"  continued 
Bigamini. 

"  Why  not  ? " 

The  little  man  hesitated. 

"  You'll  laugh  at  me,  Mr.  Harkaway,  and  I  can't  bear  be- 
ing chaffed  by  the  likes  o^.  you." 

"  Am  I  very  different  from  any  body  else  ?  "  inquired  Jack, 
with  a  smile. 

"  Yes,  sir ;  you're  a  'ero." 

"  A  what  ?  '' 

"  A  regular  'ero.  I'm  only  a  poor  tailor,  and  I  can  work 
at  my  trade  and  make  good  money  any  where,  but  the 
brigands  have  given  me  a  turn,  and  I  shall  have  to  go  else- 
where. " 

"  How  do  you  know  that  they  were  brigands  ?  "  asked  Jack. 

"  I've  been  copped  by  them,  and  I  couldn't  mistake  them." 

"  How  were  they  dressed  ? " 

"  Like  labourers,  sir.  They've  got  some  game  on,  sir," 
answered  Bigamini. 

"  Well,  good-bye,  my  little  man.  If  you  won't  come  with 
me,  I  don't  want  to  drag  you  into  danger,"  said  Jack. 

"  I'll  come  as  far  as  the  stream  with  you,  sir." 

"  What  stream  ?  " 

"  In  the  valley  there  is  a  stream,  and  I  had  some  difficulty 
in  finding  the  ford." 

"  The  ford  ?  " 

"  Yes,  sir.     It  may  be  of  use  to  you  to  know  where  it  is." 

"Thank  you.     Trot  along,"  replied  Jack. 

Bigamini  started  off,  and  Jack  followed  him  over  the 
uneven  ground,  little  dreaming  that  in  his  path  lay  the  great- 
est danger  of  his  life. 

In  the  course  of  half  an  hour  Jack  and  Bigamini  came  to 
the  banks  of  the  stream. 

The  depth  might  have  been  three  feet,  but  as  there  had 
not  been  much  rain  lately,  the  current  was  not  over  and 
above  strong. 

"  Go  across  there,  sir,"  said  Bigamini. 

"  All  right.     Thank  you,  once  more." 

"Good-bye,  sir;  I'm  off.  We  may  be  shot  at  any  mo 
ment." 

Jack's  lips  curled  with  scorn. 

Bigamini  started  off,  running  as  hard  as  he  could 


JACK  HAKA  AWAY  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.         23 

But  he  had  p.ot  gone  far  before  he  sank  down  behind 
some  vines,  and  lay  hid. 

Jack  was  riding  a  mettlesome  charger. 

Being  a  good  horseman,  he  always  liked  to  be  well  mounted. 

He  was  very  particular  about  his  cattle. 

"  Soho  !  there,"  he  exclaimed  ;  "  gently,  lad.     In  you  go." 

The  no^'e  animal  arched  his  neck  proudly,  and  plunged 
into  the  boiling,  seething  stream. 

Scarcely  had  he  gone  haifway  across  when  he  uttered  a 
snort. 

He  stumbled. 

Drawing  up  one  leg,  Jack  saw  that  he  had  caught  it  in 
some  thing. 

It  looked  like  a  large  rat-trap,  the  sort  of  thing  we  call  a 
gin. 

Plunging  o."7,  the  horse  put  his  other  leg  in  a  similar  con- 
trivance. 

Then  his  hind  leg  caught  in  a  third. 

The  stream  seemed  to  be  full  of  these  traps. 

Jack,  if  he  had  seen  some  ill-looking  ruffians  among  the 
bushes  on  the  other  side,  would  have  known  who  put  them 
there. 

As  he  plunged  about,  Jack  went  over  his  head. 

He  fell  against  a  rock  which  protruded  above  the  water. 

His  forehead  was  badly  cut. 

He  was  unable  to  help  himself,  and  was  borne  along  by 
the  current. 

Infallibly  he  would  have  been  drowned  had  not  assistance 
been  at  hand. 

But  what  sort  of  assistance  ? 

A  shrill  whistle  sounded  from  the  quarter  where  Bigamini 
had  concealed  himself. 

The  little  spy  got  up. 

"  I  did  that  well,"  he  muttered.  "  It  wasn't  a  bad  dodge 
to  set  rat-traps  in  the  stream.  They'll  take  him  easy  now." 

Half  a  dozen  men  made  their  appearance. 

They  ran  along  the  bank. 

Half  of  them  dashed  into  the  stream. 

Jack,  half  stunned  and  nearly  drowned,  was  dragged  to 
shore. 

A  man  with  one  arm  was  in  command  of  this  party. 

"  Is  he  dead  ?  "  he  asked. 

"  No,  signer,"  replied  one  of  the  men  ;  "  only  a  little  hurt." 


*-4        JACK  flARKAWAY  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

"  Tear  down  a  hurdle  from  that  fence,  and  place  him  on  it.n 

The  brigands  who,  by  Barboni's  orders,  had  been  lying  in 
wait  for  him,  lost  no  time  in  obeying  the  lieutenant's  orders. 

A  hurdle  was  torn  down,  and  Jack  cast  upon  it. 

His  arms  and  legs  were  fastened  to  the  bars  by  ropes. 

He  could  not  move,  and  was  perfectly  helpless  in  the 
hands  of  his  captors. 

Helpless ! 

And  without  firing  a  shot ! 

The  devilish  ingenuity  of  the  brigand  chief  had  been  only 
too  successful. 

Seeing  that  his  work  had  been  satisfactorily  accomplished, 
Digamini  came  forward. 

"  Ha,  ha!  Signor  Hunstoni,"  he  said,  across  the  stream, 
"you've  got  a  big  bag  this  time — an  almighty  big  bag  !  " 

"  Go  back  to  Naples,"  replied  Hunstoni,  "  and  spread  the 
report  of  his  capture." 

"  Is  there  any  hurry  ? " 

"  It's  just  as  well  that  he  should  not  see  you  when  he 
opens  his  eyes." 

"  When  he  does,  it  will  be  to  shut  them  again  for  ever, 
soon,  won't  it  ?  "  returned  Bigamini. 

"  If  I  was  the  only  one  concerned,  it  would,"  replied 
Hunston,  savagely. 

"What  does  the  chief  mean  to  do  ?  " 

"  How  can  I  tell  what  the  chief  rr«eans  to  do  ? "  answered 
Hunston. 

"  I  thought " 

"  Cut  it,  qui^1;,  or  so  help  me  Moses,  I'll  put  a  bullet  in 
you,  and  let  the  daylight  through  your  rascally  carcase." 

Hunston  held  up  a  pistol  as  he. spoke. 

Bigamini  knew  him  too  well  not  to  feel  sure  that  he  would 
keep  his  word. 

"  I  know  I'm  a  miserable  Bigamini,"  he  said,  backing 
gradually  out  of  range.. 

"  Be  off." 

"If  I'd  been  a  happy  Smiffins,  you  wouldn't  have  dared 
to " 

Hunston  cut  short  his  words  by  deliberately  firing  at  him 

If  he  had  not  taken  the  precaution  to  back  while  he  was 
talking,  his  little  game  on  this  eccentric  planet  would  have 
been  over. 

Taking  to  his  heels,  he  ran  back  to  Naples. 


JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.         25 

The  sound  of  the  shot  seemed  to  rouse  Jack. 

He  opened  his  eyes. 

He  looked  round,  and  the  first  face  that  met  his  gaze  was 
that  of  the  lieutenant  of  the  brigand  band. 

Closing  his  eyes  again,  he  seemed  as  if  to  wish  to  shut 
out  a  bad  dream. 

Hunston  smiled  sardonically. 

Touching  him  on  the  shoulder  with  the  butv  end  of  his 
pistol,  he  said — 

"  You're  awake  right  enough.     Look  up  !  " 

That  face ! 

That  voice  ! 

There  could  be  no  further  doubt  about  the  matter. 

"  Hunston  !  "  ejaculated  Harkaway. 

"  Yes,  I  am  Hunston.  What  is  there  to  be  surprised  at 
in  that  ? " 

"  Hunston  1  "  murmured  Jack,  again. 

"  Did  you  think  you  had  done  with  me  for  ever,  eh  ?  If 
you  did,  you  were  cursedly  mistaken,"  said  Hunston. 

He  laughed  mockingly. 

The  horse,  hampered  as  he  was,  struggled  vainly  to  free 
himself. 

With  two  legs  broken  the  spendid  animal  sank  down  in 
the  stream  to  die. 

He  was  quickly  drowned. 

"  Get  a  horse  out  of  the  nearest  stable,"  said  Hunston. 

"Si,  signer." 

"  Shoot  the  first  man  who  resists,  and  let  us  take  our 
prisoner  to  the  chief." 

"  Si,  signer,"  again  replied  the  man  he  spoke  to. 

Jack  was  recovering  himself  now. 

The  pain  caused  by  the  stunning  blow  on  his  forehead 
against  the  rock  passed  away. 

He  was  fully  alive  to  the  peril  of  his  situation. 

The  heat  of  the  sun  was  beginning  to  dry  his  wet  and 
dripping  clothes. 

Sitting  down  on  the  grass,  Hunston  lighted  his  pipe. 

"  You  didn't  expect  to  find  that  I  had  taken  service  with 
your  friends  the  brigands,  eh,  Harkaway?''  he  said,  taunt- 
ingly. 

"  I  did  not." 

14  I'm  like  a  bad  shilling,  sure  to  turn  up." 

"  What  do  you  mean  to  do  with  me  ?  "  asked  Jack. 


.»G        JACK  HARKAWA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

"  I'd  kill  you  if  1  had  my  way ;  make  a  clean  sweep  o! 
you — kill  you  right  out." 

"  I  suppose  you  can  if  you  like." 

"  No,  Barboni  is  a  curious  sort  of  beggar,  but  I  have  some 
influence  over  him,"  answered  Hunston. 

This  information  put  Jack  comparatively  at  his  ease. 

There  was  no  immediate  fear  of  death. 

He  was  out  of  present  danger. 

"  How  do  you  find  yourself,  old  stick  ?  "  a-sked  Hunston, 
jovially. 

As  we  know,  he  was  not  above  insulting  a  fallen  enemy. 

He  liked  to  triumph  over  Harkaway. 

It  just  suited  his  mean  and  narrow  mind. 

Jack  made  no  answer. 

"  Oh,  you  can  sulk  if  you  like.  Perhaps  you'll  be  £l&\ 
of  someone  to  talk  to  presently." 

He  took  a  sip  out  of  a  brandy  flask. 

"  I'll  tell  Emily  you've  arrived  at  the  cave,"  he  added. 

"  What  of  her  ? "  asked  Jack,  roused  from  his  sulW? 
stupor. 

"  Oh,  that  touches  you,  does  it  ? " 

"  What  of  my  wife  ? " 

"  Nothing  much.     We  are  getting  on  very  well  together.* 

"  I  trust  she  is  free  from  insult." 

"  I  think  she  likes  me  better  than  she  does  Barrel." 

"What  Barrel?" 

"  Eh  ? " 

"  Do  you  mean  Lord  Barrel — Gus  Barrel  ? " 

"  Oh,  I've  made  you  find  your  tongue  at  last  have  I  ? " 
suid  Hunston. 

"  Is  Barrel  of  ours  with  you." 

"  He  is." 

"  God  defend  me  from  my  enemies  ! "  murmured  Jack, 
solemnly. 

"  Here  comes  the  nag,"  exclaimed  Hunston.  "  You  won't 
find  it  very  easy  going  on  that  hurdle,  but  I  can't  help  that." 

Jack  closed  his  eyes  again,  to  keep  out  the  burning  sun. 

He  gave  himself  up  to  his  reflections. 

His  thoughts  were  very  bitter. 

Soon  the  horse  was  harnessed  to  the  hurdle,  and  the  word 
being  given  by  Hunston,  the  little  party  began  to  move  by 
unfrequented  routes  to  the  cave. 

It  was  a  long  journey. 


JA CK  HARKA  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.         2 7 

Hunston  walked  in  front,  pistol  in  hand  and  pipe  in 
mouth. 

"Wake  up  that  jade,"  he  replied.  "We  mustn't  lose 
time." 

The  horse  was  whipped  up,  and  they  went  at  a  steady 
pace  towards  the  Volturno.  Jack  was  a  prisoner  once 
more. 

Fortune's  wheel  had  taken  a  turn. 

He,  as  well  as  his  wife,  was  in  the  power  of  Barboni. 

And  that  power  was  backed  up,  if  not  shared,  by  Hunston 
and  Gus  Barrel. 


CHAPTER  XLVI. 

"  FIRE,  AND  YOU  KILL  YOUR  FRIEND." 

THE  three  friends,  accompanied  by  Mr.  Mole,  waited  until 
the  following  day  for  the  appearance  of  Jack. 

When  they  saw  nothing  of  .him,  they  could  not  doubt  that 
he  had  fallen  a  victim  to  the  brigand  chief,  and  was  either 
dead  or  Captured. 

The  Countessa  di  Malafedi  called  upon  them,  and  pro- 
tested that  she  was  very  sorry  to  hear  of  Mr.  Harkaway's 
misfortune. 

It  was  a  great  pity,  she  thought,  that  he  had  not  long  ago 
left  Barboni  to  the  care  of  the  police  and  the  soldiers. 

From  the  first  she  had  expected  no  good  would  come  of 
his  chivalrous  attempt  to  capture  such  a  fox  as  the  chief  c\f 
the  brigands. 

Garden  declared  that  her  protestations  of  sorrow  were 
nothing  but  hypocrisy. 

He  ordered  a  carriage  and  drove  to  the  general's  house. 

Cialdini  received  him,  as  usual,  with  civility,  and  assured 
him  that  he  had  sent  soldiers  in  every  direction. 

In  addition  to  which,  the  police  were  actively  at  work. 

The  three  friends  were  profoundly  affected  at  the  news  of 
Jack's  capture. 

Harvey  especially. 

At  first  they  were  inclined  to  believe  it  an  idle  rumour. 

^ut  as  day  after  day  slipped  by,  and  no  tidings  came  of 
the  missing  one,  they  could  no  longer  doubt  that  he  was,  in 
reality,  a  wretched  prisoner  in  the  hands  of  his  enemies. 


28        JACK  HARKAWAY  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

They  were  anxious  to  do  all  that  lay  in  their  power  to 
rescue  him. 

But  what  could  they  do  ? 

How  were  they  to  proceed  ? 

Fighting  Barboni  was  like  battling  with  a  shadow,  ever 
shifting  its  position. 

"Something  must  be  done,"  said  Harvey,  on  the  morning 
of  the  third  day  after  that  on  which  Jack  had  promised  to 
return. 

"  Do  you  believe  the  rumours  that  are  flying  about  ? ;< 
asked  Garden. 

"  I  do." 

"  In  fact,  you  are  satisfied  that  Barboni  has  captured 
Jack  ? " 

"Undoubtedly;  I  don't  think  he  is  dead  " — here  Harvey 
brushed  away  a  tear  without  being  ashamed  of  it — "or  we 
should  have  had  his  head  sent  us ;  and  I  have  made  up  my 
mind." 

"  To  what  ? "  asked  Garden. 

"  I  will  not  sleep  in  a  bed  again  until  I  find  Flarkaway.'; 

"  Bravo !"  cried  the  little  coxswain  ;  "that's  just  how  I 
feel." 

"  I'm  with  you,  through  thick  and  thin,"  said  Garden. 

"As  for  me,"  said  Mr.  Mole,  "  I  cordially  agree  with  Har- 
vey. None  of  us  ought  to  sleep  in  beds,  or,  indeed,  sleep  at 
all,  though  exhausted  nature  must  be  recruited,  until  our 
dear  friend  Harkaway  is  recovered." 

"  Instead  of  jawing,  and  humming  and  hawing,"  said  Wal- 
ter Campbell,  "  I  think  it  would  be  more  to  our  credit  if  we 
were  to  do  some  thing." 

"  Hear  !  hear  !  "  from  Garden. 

"  I  will  accompany  you  any  where,  and  expose  myself  to 
the  danger  of  the  brigands'  guns,"  said  Mole. 

"  Let  us  have  a  carriage  and  take  a  tent  with  us  and  some 
provisions,  and  camp  near  where  I  fought  with  the  brigand," 
said  Garden. 

"  Not  a  bad  idea,"  replied  Harvey. 

"  You  mean  close  to  Castel  Inferno  ?  "  said  the  little  cox 
swain. 

"  Yes ;  a  quarter  of  a  mile  or  so  from  the  Prince  di  Villa- 
nova's.  You  know  my  theory  about  the  identity  of  the 
prince  and  the  brigand." 

"  We  will  go,"  replied  Mole.     "  I  had  hoped  to  devote  my 


JACK  I1ARKAWA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.         29 

time  to  teaching  young  Harkaway  his  letters,  as  I  will  not 
eat  the  bread  of  idleness  anywhere." 

"  You're  welcome,  Mr.  Mole,"  said  Harvey. 

"  I  know  it ;  if  1  did  not  feel  sure  of  it  I  would  not  stay  on 
hour  in  this  house.  I  am  poor — miserably  poor,  for  I  have 
lost  my  all ;  but,  gentlemen,  I  beg  to  assure  you  that  Isaac 
Mole  preserves  his  independence." 

"  Young  Jack,"  said  Harvey,  "has  his  nurse  always  about 
him,  and  Hilda  attends  to  him  in  the  absence  of  his  mother." 

"  What  is  that  to  the  superior  instruction  which  I  should 
be  able  to  impart  to  his  infant  mind  ? " 

"  It's  good  enough  for  the  present,"  answered  Harvey, 
"and  I  am  sure  that  you  will  be  doing  a  greater  kindness  to 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Harkaway  in  getting  them  out  of  captivity  than 
by  wasting  your  valuable  efforts  in  what  you  call  imparting 
instruction  to  the  infant  mind." 

'  Do  vou  respect  my  motives,  Harvey  ? " 

'  Of  course  I  do." 

1  And  appreciate  my  principle  ? " 

'Yes." 

'  Good.  Now  I  will  buckle  on  the  sword  and  figuratively 
don  my  armour,  gird  up  my  loins,  and  work  vengeance  upon 
those  brigands,"  replied  Mr.  Mole. 

"  Is  it  settled  that  we  go  out  and  camp,  so  as  to  be  on  the 
watch  night  and  day  ?  "  asked  Garden. 

"  I  am  agreeable,"  replied  Harvey. 

"  No  sacrifice  that  I  can  make  will  be  too  great  to  show  my 
devotion  to  Harkaway,"  remarked  the  little  coxswain. 

"  We  all  love  him,"  said  Harvey,  into  whose  eye  stole 
another  tear  as  he  thought  of  the  probable  fate  of  his 
friend. 

"  We  do,"  replied  the  others,  in  chorus. 

"  And  he  deserves  it,"  said  Mole,  "  for,  if  ever  there  was  a 
good-hearted  friend  in  this  world — though  a  little  wayward  at 
times — a  little  wayward " 

"  Don't  qualify  your  praise,"  said  Harvey. 

"  I  must  say  it,  Harvey,  for  I  have  had  trials  in  the  past 
through  that  boy;  but  this  I  will  aver  and  maintain,  that  a 
better  fellow  than  Harkaway  never  breathed." 

"We're  all  agreed  on  that  point,"  said  Garden,  "  and  now 
we'll  try  and  show  him  what  we  can  do  for  him.  If  you'll 
all  be  ready  in  a  couple  of  hours,  I'll  go  and  see  after  the 
camp  furniture,  stores,  etc." 


}•         !&l  X  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  jff£.  a  RIG  A  V 

No  one  had  any  better  suggestion  to  make,  and  Garden  at 
cr.ce  set  about  his  project. 

In  a  very  short  time  he  had  purchased  every  thing  that  was 
re-quired,  and  about  an  hour  before  sunset  a  carriage  con- 
veyed the  friends  towards  Castel  Inferno. 

They  crossed  the  Volturno  as  usual,  and,  selecting  a  fa- 
vourable spot,  pitched  their  tent  and  made  themselves  as 
comfortable  as  they  could  under  the  circumstances. 

The  carriage  returned  to  Naples,  being  taken  back  in  the 
ferry  boat  over  the  river. 

Hilda  was  very  much  grieved  at  this  fresh  campaign  ;  but 
she  knew  it  was  Harvey's  duty  to  go,  and  she  was  too  good 
and  noble  a  wife  to  offer  any  remonstrance  in  such  a  case. 

Mr.  Mole  carried  his  cask  with  him,  and  declared,  as  usual, 
that  it  only  contained  water. 

If  this  was  true,  and  there  w  s  a  spring  in  the  neighbour- 
hood, his  continually  putting  nis  lips  to  the  cask  seemed 
rather  superfluous. 

The  night  was  passed  in  that  delightful  climate  without 
any  inconvenience,  sentries  being  posted  every  four  hours  to 
guard  against  a  surprise. 

Scarcely  had  day  broken  when  the  little  coxswain,  who 
was  on  guard,  gave  the  alarm. 

" Brigands  in  front!  "  he  cried. 

Everyone  was  on  the  alert  in  a  moment. 

Harvey  and  Garden  stood  a  little  in  the  background  and 
reconnoitred. 

Before  them  they  saw  a  party  of  a  dozen  brigands,  with 
Barboni  at  their  head. 

In  their  midst  they  carried  some  thing  which  the  friends 
could  not  distinctly  make  out. 

"  Shall  I  fire  ?  "  asked  the  little  coxswain,  eagerly. 

"The  odds  are  three  to  one,  and  Mole  doesn't  count  for 
much,"  said  Harvey. 

Very  naturally  he  hesitated. 

If  he  provoked  a  return  fire,  they  might  all  be  slaughtered. 

"  We  are  armed  with  breech-loaders,"  replied  Garden.  "  I 
can  fire  ten  shots  a  minute." 

"Chance  it,  if  you  like,"  said  Harvey. 

"  Call  Mole  up." 

Harvey  looked  round  for  Mr.  Mole,  who  had  retreated  into 
the  tent  again  at  the  sight  of  brigands  in  force,  and  was  pre- 
tending to  sleep  the  sleep  of  the  just. 


JA CK  HA RKA  IVA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.         3 1 

u  Never  mind  Mole,"  said  Harvey.  "  It  only  increases 
Jie  odds  to  four  to  one.  That  isn't  much." 

"  Are  you  going  to  let  these  fellows  walk  over? "  said  the 
little  coxswain,  impatiently. 

"  Not  much,"  replied  Harvey. 

"  Make  ready,5'  cried  Garden. 

There  was  a  pause,  only  broken  by  the  clicking  of  the 
locks  of  the  guns. 

"  Present !  " 

WK--4.  ''ere  the  brigands  about? 

Barboni  stood  within  easy  range  of  the  rifles  of  the  En- 
glishmen, and  his  men  seemed  to  be  entirely  occupied  in  con- 
templating what  they  held  in  their  midst. 

The  next  moment  the  word  "  Fire  !  "  would  be  given,  an  J 
blood  would  be  shed. 

Suddenly  he  waved  his  arm. 

Garden  hesitated  to  give  the  word,  and  it  was  well  he  did. 

At  his  signal,  the  brigands,  collected  in  the  rear  of  their 
leader,  and  raised  up  a  hurdle  on  which  was  bound  the  body 
of  a  man. 

Six  men  pointed  their  weapons  at  him. 

To  their  intense  horror,  the  friends  recognised  the  form 
and  features  of  Jack  Harkaway. 

He  was  the  man  bound  on  the  hurdle. 

His  arms  were  stretched  in  different  directions,  and  his 
legs  parted  in  the  form  of  a  triangle. 

"  Fire,  gentlemen,  if  you  like,"  said  Barboni ;  "  but  you  kill 
your  friend." 

A  sardonic  grin  overspread  his  countenance. 

Garden,  Harvey,  and  the  little  coxswain  lowered  their  arms. 

They  shrank  back  aghast. 

A  faint  voice  came  from  the  form  bound  to  the  hurdle. 

"  Fire  !  fire  !     Kill  that  fiend  and  let  me  take  my  fate." 

"  Gentlemen,"  again  said  the  brigand,  in  the  blandest  of 
tones,  "  you  will  please  yourselves.  If  you  fire  you  may  kill 
or  wound  the  '  fiend,'  as  Mr.  Harkaway  elegantly  calls  me." 

"  And  you'd  be  no  loss  to  genteel  society,"  remarked  the 
coxswain,  between  his  teeth. 

"  But,  gentlemen,"  continued  Barboni,  "  you  are  already 
covered  by  six  rifles,  and  an  equal  number  threaten  your 
friend." 

A  groan  burst  from  Jack. 

"  So,  you  see,  if  I  fell,  I  should  gain  after  all,  for  it  is 


32         JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

nearly  certain  you  then  would  share  my  fate,  and  there  would 
not  be  the  shadow  of  a  chance  for  Mr.  Harkaway." 

The  reasoning  was  too  self-evident  to  bear  contradiction. 

The  word  of  command  died  away  on  Garden's  lips,  and 
the  three  friends  grounded  their  rifles. 

"  I  am  very  sorry,  Harkaway,  old  man,"  said  Garden, 
"  that  we  can  do  nothing  for  you  at  present." 

"Nor  can  you  in  future,"  cried  Barboni. 

"  Why  ? " 

"  Because  Mr.  Harkaway  will  always  accompany  us  in 
this  fashion,  and  when  I  am  threatened  by  you  or  the 
soldiers,  I  shall  place  him  in  the  front,  so  that  the  result  of 
an  attack  will  be  his  death." 

"  Monster  !  " 

"  As  yoq  please,"  said  Barboni,  shrugging  his  shoulders. 

"  You  have  the  ingenuity  of  your  master,"  replied  Garden. 

"Who  is  that?     I  own  no  master." 

"  Satan." 

Barboni  laughed  demoniacally. 

"  Laugh  away,"  said  Garden  ;  ' '  your  time  will  come,  de- 
pend upon  that." 

"You  talk  like  a  child,  Signer  Garden,"  answered  the 
brigand. 

"  Time  will  show." 

"  I  am  content  to  wait,  more  especially  as  I  have  the 
best  of  the  situation.  Take  my  advice  and  go  home ;  you 
see  you  can  do  nothing." 

Garden  was  silent. 

Barboni  spoke  only  too  truly. 

"  Gentlemen,  I  have  the  honour  to  wish  you  a  very  good 
day,"  continued  Barboni. 

"  We  shall  meet  again." 

"  Very  possibly." 

"  And  when  we  do " 

"  Keep  your  threats  for  those  whom  they  may  frighten  ; 
as  for  me,  I  laugh  them  to  scorn,"  interrupted  Barboni. 

He  gave  his  peculiar  whistle,  which  sounded  shrill  and 
clear  on  the  sharp  morning  air. 

Slowly  the  men  began  to  retreat. 

They  walked  backwards,  always  holding  up  Harkaway  to 
cover  them. 

Gnashing  his  teeth  with  rage,  Garden  was  obliged  to  let 
them  go. 


fACK  HARKA  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.         33 

In  a  few  minutes  they  had  vanished  as  mysteriously  as 
they  had  come,  and  were  lost  to  sight  behind  some  rocks. 

The  little  coxswain  was  about  to  make  a  dash. 

Garden  pulled  him  back. 

"  Steady,  young  one,"  he  said  ;  "  it's  no  use  to  lay  down 
your  life  now." 

"  But  they're  walking  off  with  Jack." 

"  Can't  be  helped." 

"  Blow  those  brigands  !  Are  they  always  to  have  the  besl 
of  us  ?  "  said  Walter,  in  a  tone  of  vexation. 

"  I  hope  not." 

"  One  thing  is  jolly,"  said  Harvey. 

"  What  is  that  ?  " 

"Jack's  alive,  and  they  don't  mean  to  kill  him  just  yet." 

"We  are  completely  licked  at  present,"  said  Garden,  "an'i 
there  is  nothing  like  owning  it  when  one  is." 

"If  we  shouldn't  have  risked  Jack's  life,  I'd  have  had  a 
cut  at  them,  if  I'd  died  for  it,"  said  Walter. 

"  So  would  we  all.  But  be  sensible,  little  man,"  an- 
swered Garden. 

"  So  I  am." 

"  Well,  what  could  we  have  done  ?  What  can  we  do  now  ? 
The  fact  is,  we  must  get  back  to  Naples,  and  see  if  we  can't 
ransom  Jack." 

At  this  juncture  Mr.  Mole  emerged  from  the  tent. 

He  had  satisfied  himself  that  there  was  no  further  danger, 
and  he  kept  his  courage  up  while  Barboni  was  talking  by 
repeatedly  sipping  at  his  cask. 

"  What's  all  this  ? "  he  said.  "  I've  been  fast  asleep. 
Why  the  deuce  didn't  you  call  me,  if  there  was  any  thing 
going  on  ?  You  know  I  am  always  ready." 

Harvey  told  him  what  had  occurred. 

"  You  don't  mean  to  say  that  poor  Harkaway  was  close  to 
you  ? "  said  Mole. 

"  Yes." 

"And  you  did  nothing  to  save  him?  Come,  I  say,  Car- 
den,  you  ca'il  yourself  a  man  of  courage,  and  you  didn't 
strike  a  blow  for  '  Auld  Lang  Syne  ! ' ' 

"  How  could  we  do  so  ? "  asked  Garden. 

"What  a  curious  thing  it  is  that  you  boys  are  no  use 
unless  you  have  a  man  to  guide  you." 

"  It's  no  use  talking." 

"  Yes,  it  is.     Excuse  me,  but — there  !  hang  it  all !  I  can't 

3 


34        JACK  HARKA  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

control  myself.  You  are  a  pack  of  cowards ! "  cried  Mr, 
Mole. 

"  What  would  you  have  done  ?  "  asked  Walter,  smiling. 

"  Made  a  charge.  Oh,  you  don't  know  me  !  I'd  have  had 
Jack  away  from  them  by  hook  or  by  crook." 

"Would  you?"  said  Walter. 

"  Certainly  !  For  goodness'  sake  don't  let  me  oversleep 
myself  another  time,"  answered  Mr.  Mole. 

He  pretended  to  be  in  a  state  of  great  excitement  for 
some  time,  but  no  one  took  any  further  notice  of  him. 

In  an  hour's  time  the  friends  struck  their  tent,  and  each 
carrying  something,  returned  sadly  to  Naples. 

Barboni  the  brigand  had  triumphed  once  more. 

Their  only  consolation  was  that  they  knew  Jack's,  fate, 
and  that  it  is  always  safe  to  say — 

"  While  there  is  life  there  is  hope  !  " 

But  hope  was  nearly  extinguished  by  despair  and  annoy- 
ance. 


CHAPTER  XLVII. 

A    BLACK    GHOST. 

"  EVERYBODY  else  fail,  um  try  to  do  it,  mum." 

The  speaker  was  Monday. 

Hilda  had  been  much  concerned  about  the  capture  of 
Jack  and  Emily  by  Barboni. 

She  did  not  see  her  way  clearly  to  getting  them  out  of  the 
confinement  in  which  they  were  held. 

But  she  fancied  that  something  might  be  done  by  Mon- 
day's assistance. 

Harvey,  Garden,  and  the  little  coxswain,  with  Mr.  Mole 
had  returned  defeated. 

"  Let  us  say  nothing  to  anybody,  Monday,"  said  Hilda. 
"  My  idea  is  this.  You  shall  go  to  Castel  Inferno,  where 
Mr.  Garden  thinks  the  brigand  chief  lives,  and  play  the  part 
of  a  black  ghost." 

"  But  Monday  flesh  and  blood,  mum." 

"  Yes,  yes  ;  I  want  you  to  pretend  to  be  a  black  ghost 
and  dress  in  your  wild  manner." 

"  Just  as  I  was  in  Limbi  ?  " 

"  Exactly." 


FARKAWAY  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.         35 

^Ch.  that  easily  done,  mum,"  said  Monday. 

'  You  will  frighten  the  ignorant  creatures  who  serve  the 
cause  of  Barboni,  and  you  will  be  very  likely  to  bring  back 
important  information." 

"  P'raps  lose  um  head,  mum,"  said  Monday. 

"  Even  if  you  do,  it  is  your  duty  to  do  what  you  can  for 
your  master,"  replied  Hilda. 

"  Um  lay  down  ten,  twenty,  thirty  lives,  if  um  had  um,  for 
Mast'  Jack,"  said  Monday. 

"  Very  well,"  replied  Hilda.  "  Say  nothing  to  anyone, 
not  even  to  your  wife,  and  start  to  Castel  Inferno." 

"  Yes,  mum." 

*'  Remember  you're  a  ghost,  and  see  if  you  cannot  com- 
municate in  some  way  with  Harkaway  and  Emiiy." 

"  Um  bound  to  do  it,"  said  Monday,  confidently. 

The  faithful  fellow  had  been  talking  to  Hilda  for  some 
time,  and  declared  that  he  was. willing  to  die  for  his  master, 
if  necessary. 

The  result  of  this  conversation  was  that  Monday  should 
try  and  discover  ivhere  Jack  was. 

He  readily  undertook  the  task. 

Waiting  until  night  came,  he  left  a  letter  on  the  table  ot 
the  pantry  to  inform  his  wife  that  he  should  be  away  for  a 
iew  clays  on  business. 

Then  he  left  Naples  and  walked  towards  Castel  Inferno, 
which  he  thought  was  the  most  likely  spot  for  the  brigands 
to  be  located. 

He  had  heard  the  arguments  of  the  young  gentlemen,  and 
believed,  with  Garden,  that  if  Villanova  was  not  Barboni, 
he  at  least  was  mixed  up  with  him. 

It  was  a  magnificent  night  when  he  reached  the  Volturno. 

Thousands  of  stars  studded  the  heavens,  while  the  moon 
reflected  itself  in  the  swiftly-running  tide. 

Without  any  hesitation,  Monday  threw  off  his  hat  and 
his  clothes,  which  he  hid  behind  a  bush. 

Round  his  waist  he  wore  a  cloth,  just  as  he  had  4one 
when  Harkaway  first  saw  him  in  his  primaeval  forest. 

His  only  weapon  was  a  long,  sharp,  murderous-looking 
inife,  which  was  secured  in  his  waistband. 

Monday  felt  himself  wild  again. 

His  eye  burned  with  a  dangerous  fire,  he  drew  himself  up 
to  his  full  height,  as  if  glorying  in  his  strength,  and  his 
nostrils  dilated  with  pride. 


36        JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

Once  more  he  was  Matabella,  King  of  Limbi. 

Pausing  a  moment  on  the  edge  of  the  stream,  he  plunged 
iu  head  first  and  swam  across,  though  there  was  a  very  swift 
current  to  fight  against. 

He  dived  and  sported  like  a  duck,  dashing  the  water  on 
all  sides,  floating  on  his  side,  swimming  on  his  back,  and  per- 
forming other  tricks  which  showed  he  was  thoroughly  at 
home  in  the  liquid  element. 

It  was  strange  to  see  how  his  wild  nature  asserted  itself. 

He  had  thrown  off  the  garments  of  civilization. 

With  this  act  he  seemed  again  to  be  a  savage. 

Reaching  the  other  side,  he  shook  off  the  water,  and  began 
his  march  to  the  castle. 

Sometimes  he  ran  with  the  fleetness  of  a  deer. 

At  others  he  crouched  and  glided  like  a  snake. 

All  the  tricks  and  stratagems  of  savage  warfare  came  into 
his  mind. 

He  was,  every  inch  of  him,  a  warrior  of  Limbi. 

The  black  was  in  splendid  condition. 

Fine,  athletic  fellow  as  he  was,  he  appeared  a  match  for  half 
a  dozen  lazy,  effeminate  Neapolitan  brigands. 

When  day  broke,  he  was  not  far  from  the  castle. 

His  movements  were  now  very  cautious. 

Suddenly  he  dived  down  amongst  some  fern. 

A  man  was  coming  towards  him. 

It  was  a  brigand. 

He  knew  that  by  the  slouched  hat,  the  hangdog  look,  the 
uncouth  manner,  and  the  carbine,  together  with  the  dagger 
amd  pistols  stuck  in  his  belt. 

Monday  grasped  his  knife  firmly. 

No  thought  of  pity  or  compassion  crossed  his  mind. 

He  had  gone  on  the  warpath,  and  his  ears  were  deaf  to 
the  whisperings  of  Christianity  and  humanity. 

All  his  instinct  told  him  in  those  dread  hours  was,  that  his 
master  was  in  the  power  of  the  brigands,  and  consequently 
brigands  were  his  natural  enemies. 

To  kill  them  was  a  virtue. 

The  man,  whistling  carelessly,  came  close  to  Monday. 

In  an  instant  the  black  sprang  upon  him  like  a  tiger,  utter- 
ing a  subdued  howl  as  he  caught  him  by  the  throat. 

The  next  moment  Monday  gave  a  heavy  blow  with  his 
weapon. 

The  brigand  fell  to  the  ground  a  corpse. 


JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.        37 

A  smile  of  intense  satisfaction  flitted  across  Monday's 
face. 

"  One  of  the  villains  gone  to  um  bad  spirits,'-'  he  muttered. 

Spurning  the  dead  body  with  his  foot,  he  again  crept 
along. 

He  had  not  gone  far  before  he  saw  another  brigand  stand- 
ing in  a  listless  manner  before  the  entrance  to  a  cave. 

The  man  had  been  on  guard  all  night,  and  was  asleep. 

In  a  short  time  he  would  be  relieved. 

But  his  companions  were  enjoying  their  rest  in  the  interior, 
and  the  hour  for  relieving  guard  had  not  yet  come. 

Crawling  on  his  belly,  as  he  had  done  many  a  time  and 
oft  in  his  native  land  when  he  wanted  to  kill  an  unsuspicious 
enemy,  he  approached  the  sentry. 

When  he  was  close  to  him,  he  crawled  over  a  stick,  which 
broke  with  a  loud  snap. 

The  sentry  looked  round. 

Immediately  Monday  jumped  to  his  feet  in  front  of  the 
brigand,  who  was  so  astonished  that  he  stood  rooted  to  the 
spot. 

He  thought  he  saw  a  ghost. 

What  could  the  black,  naked  thing  in  front  of  him  be  but 
an  evil  spirit  ? 

The  Neapolitans  are  the  most  weak-minded  and  supersti- 
tious people  in  Italy. 

Consequently,  it  is  not  surprising  that  the  brigand  thought 
he  saw  a  ghost. 

Taking  advantage  of  this  surprise,  Monday  darted  upon 
the  fellow,  and  stabbed  him  fatally. 

He  fell  without  a  groan. 

"  Oh,  kafoozlum !  "  muttered  Monday ;  "  um  found  the 
cave.  Mast'  Garden  give  um  ears  for  this." 

He  had  done  what  none  of  his  master's  friends  could  do. 

Not  hesitating  for  a  moment,  Monday  cautiously  passed 
through  the  aperture  in  the  sandstone. 

This  brought  him  into  the  large,  vault-like  chamber  out- 
side the  private  cells  and  galleries. 

About  forty  brigands  were  lying  about  in  various  places 
asleep. 

Their  number  had  been  a  good  deal  thinned  lately  by  their 
contniual  conflicts  with  the  troops. 

Passing  through  these  men,  Monday  entered  a  p?.ssage  in 
*ront  of  him. 


38       JACK  HARKA  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

His  purpose  was  to  explore  the  cave,  and,  if  possible,  find 
out  where  Jack  and  Emily  were  confined. 

He  had  not  gone  far  before  he  saw  a  light. 

It  was  but  the  feeble  glimmer  of  an  oil  lamp,  placed  in 
a  niche  cut  in  the  wall. 

Yet  it  assisted  the  keen  vision  of  the  black. 

It  enabled  him  to  see  a  brigand,  who  evidently  was 
posted  as  a  sentry,  but  he  had  fallen  into  a  reverie,  and  was 
looking  at  a  miniature  of  a  woman. 

Perhaps  it  was  the  girl  he  loved. 

The  girl  who  was  to  have  been  his  wife  if  he  had  continued 
an  honest  man. 

One  who  would  not  allow  herself  to  love  a  brigand. 

Who  can  tell  ? 

Perhaps  a  life's  romance  was  wrapt  up  in  the  little  painting. 

The  man  raised  the  senseless  miniature  to  his  lips. 

He  kissed  the  inanimate  features  with  intense  devotion. 

A  tear  sprang  to  his  eye,  and  he  brushed  it  angrily  away. 

Was  he  thinking  of  the  gulf  that  separated  him  from  the 
fair  and  innocent  reality  ? 

Did  his  conscience  reproach  him  for  having  fallen  so  low 
as  to  be  a  brigand,  a  murderer,  and  a  thief? 

He  was  not  allowed  much  time  to  think. 

Monday  glided,  snakelike,  upon  him,  and  that  dreadful 
knife  sent  him  to  his  last  long  sleep,  with  only  a  groan  and 
gurgle. 

Only  long  practice  could  have  made  the  knife  so  deadly 
in  Monday's  hand. 

There  was  never  any  necessity  for  him  to  strike  twice. 

Passing  over  the  body  of  the  guard,  Monday  took  up  the 
lamp  and  looked  about  him. 

A  door  in  the  wall  caught  his  eye. 

It  was  merely  draped  by  a  piece  of  matting  hung  on  a 
couple  of  nails. 

Pushing  this  aside,  he  looked  in. 

On  a  mattress  was  a  sleeping  man. 

One  glance  sufficed  to  show  Monday  that  this  was  Hark- 
away. 

A  thick  and  heavy  chain,  fastened  by  a  padlock  to  his  right 
ankle,  was  attached  to  the  wall  by  a  large  staple. 

Creeping  up  to  his  master,  Monday,  whose  heart  was 
beating  wildly,  placed  his  hand  upon  his  mouth  to  prevent 
fiim  uttering  a  cry  and  giving  the  alarm. 


39 

Then  lie  whispered  in  his  ear — 

"  Mast'  Jack." 

Harkaway's  slumber  was  disturbed  by  bad  dreams. 

"  Let  me  die  like  a  man,"  he  murmured,  restlessly.  "  Whatl 
would  you  kill  me  in  my  sleep  ?  Cowards  !  " 

"  Mast'  Jack.     Um  must  wake  up,"  continued  Monday. 

The  silence  was  profound,  and  the  scene  was  a  remarkable 
one  for  its  ./eird  and  rugged  grandeur. 

Risking  his  life  in  his  devotion  to  his  young  master  knelt 
the  black. 

Harkaway,  chained  and  captive  as  he  was,  yet  looking 
noble  and  unsubdued,  lying  on  a  rude  pallet,  the  sole  furni- 
ture of  the  vault. 

The  little  lamp's 'sickly  rays,  dimly  illuminating  the  dimen- 
sions of  the  vault,  which,  in  its  roughness,  seemed  to  have 
been  hacked  and  hewed  out  of  the  solid  rock  by  the  hand 
of  some  giant  of  old  time. 

Suddenly  Jack  woke  up. 

He  only  saw  the  kneeling  figure  of  Monday,  and  fancy- 
ing he  was  still  dreaming,  he  closed  his  eyes  wearily. 

"  I  dreamt  of  brigands  just  now,"  he  exclaimed,  "  and 
my  thoughts  have  gone  back  to  my  wanderings  amongst  the 
Malays.  Ah,  if  I  only  had  my  faithful  Monday  here." 

"  Him  come,  sare." 

"  What ! " 

Jack  sat  up  and  rubbed  his  eyes. 

"  Can  it  be  you,  Monday  ?  "  he  exclaimed.  "  How  did  you 
get  here  ?  Have  Garden  and  the  other  fellows  stormed  and 
taken  the  cave  ?  " 

"  No,  sare.  They  do  no  good,  none  of  them,  so  Missey 
Hilda  and  I  make  up  our  minds  I  go  and  find  um  cava." 

By  this  time  Jack  was  thoroughly  awake. 

He  saw  how  things  stood  in  a  moment. 

"Thank  you,  Monday,  old  fellow,"  he  said;  "I  thought 
my  friends  would  not  desert  me." 

"  Never,  sare."- 

"  Are  the  brigands  awake  yet  ?  " 

"  Not  yet,  sare." 

"  How  did  you  pass  the  sentries?  "' 

Monday,  with  a  grim  smile,  pointed  to  his  knife,  which 
was  covered  with  half-dried  blood. 

"  Ha  !  "  said  Jack,  "you  have  killed  some  ?  " 

"  Only  few,  sare.     Two,  three,  four.     Quite  um  trifle." 


40        fACK  HARKA  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

"  Look  here,  Monday,  old  boy,"  said  Jack,  "  I  shall  never 
forget  your  bravery." 

"  Say  nothing  'bout  that,  sare." 

"  You've  done  a  plucky  thing." 

"Um  warrior  of  Limbo  'gain,  sare,"  replied  Monday, 
proudly,  "and  um  like  it." 

Jack  smiled  faintly. 

"You  have  found  out  the  brigand's  cave,"  said  Jack, 
"  and  that  is  a  most  important  step.  Go  back  to  Naples  at 
once." 

"  You  come  too,  sare  ? " 

"  No." 

"  You  not  come,  Mast'  Jack  ? "  said  Monday,  in  profound 
astonishment. 

"  It  is  impossible.     See  how  I  am  chained." 

"  Get  um  chain  off  somehow." 

"You  can't.  It  would  take  hours,  even  if  you  had  proper 
tools ;  and,  brave  as  you  are,  you  can't  hope  to  fight  a  horde 
of  brigands.  No,  you  must  go  back  at  once." 

"  What  do  then,  sare  ?  "  asked  Monday. 

"  Bring  Garden,  Harvey,  Campbell,  and  a  lot  of  soldiers, 
to  surprise  the  cave  in  the  night." 

"  Why  not  show  um  fight,  sare  ?  " 

"  Because  they  will  expose  me  tied  to  a  hurdle  in  the  front 
of  the  battle,  and  I  don't  want  to  croak  yet,  if  I  can  help  it," 
answered  Jack. 

"  All  right,  sare.     Keep  up  um  pluck,"  said  Monday. 

"  I'll  try.  And  now  be  off,  Monday.  God  bless  you,  my 
true  friend  ! "  exclaimed  Jack,  warmly. 

Monday  raised  Jack's  hand  to  his  lips,  and  kissed  it 
aifectionately. 

"  You  understand  ?  "  said  Jack. 

"  Got  um  lesson  by  heart,  sare." 

"  Don't  be  rash.  Remember  that  my  life  and  my  wife's 
depend  upon  your  discretion." 

"  Monday  safe  as  the  bank,  sare,"  replied  the  black,  who 
glided  as  noiselessly  as  he  had  come  out  of  the  vault. 

Daybreak  was  just  penetrating  to  the  outer  cave,  and  the 
brigands  were  slowly  rising  to  prepare  for  the  duties  and 
fatigues  of  the  day. 

With  a  feeling  the  reverse  of  pleasant  Monday  made  this 
discovery ;  but  he  had  provided  against  such  an  emer- 
gency. 


JA  CK  HA  RKA  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.         4 1 

Placing  his  hand  in  his  girdle,  he  took  out  a  little  phial  of 
phosphorescent  oil. 

With  the  utmost  rapidity  he  rubbed  this  all  over  his  naked 
body. 

The  effect  in  the  darkness  was  remarkable. 

He  seemed  to  be  on  fire. 

The  fanciful  flames  leapt  all  over  him,  as  if  he  had  just 
come  out  of  a  flaming  bath. 

His  only  chance  of  safety  was  adopting  a  bold  course. 

With  a  bound,  he  sprang  forward,  and  stood  in  the  midst 
of  the  brigands,  grinning  horribly  and  waving  his  hands. 


CHAPTER  XLVIII. 
HILDA'S  ERAVE  CONDUCT. 

WHEN  the  brigands  beheld  a  strange,  uncouth,  black- 
demon  sort  of  figure  in  their  midst,  they  shrank  back. 

They  were  frightened. 

Their  superstitious  fears  beset  them. 

What  was  this  strange  being  surrounded  by  flames  and 
smoke  ? 

Where  did  he  come  from,  and  what  was  his  object  in 
coming  ? 

Dancing  about  in  the  most  fantastic  manner,  Monday 
gradually  drew  near  the  mouth  of  the  cave. 

Then  uttering  a  fearful  cry,  and  saying  something  in  his 
own  language,  he  vanished. 

Not  a  shot  was  fired. 

The  brigands  crossed  themselves,  and  thought  they  had 
seen  the  devil. 

Laughing  to  himself,  Monday  retreated  as  far  as  he  could, 
and  was  soon  out  of  danger. 

Reaching  the  Volturno,  he  crossed  the  river  as  before,  and 
finding  his  clothes  where  he  had  hidden  them,  he  once  more 
put  on  his  civilised  dress,  and  hastened  back  to  Naples. 

When  he  reached  the  city,  he  was  so  exhausted,  that, 
after  partaking  of  food  and  drink,  he  sank  into  a  deep  sleep 
which  lasted  for  several  hours. 

Hilda  was  apprised  of  his  return,  and  gave  orders  that  he 
should  on  no  account  be  disturbed. 


42        JACK  HARKA  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIG  A  v/>i 

Harvey  and  the  others  were  very  curious  to  know  where 
he  had  been. 

"  You  shall  hear  for  yourselves,"  said  Hilda,  "  when  he 
wakes  up." 

"  Where  did  you  send  him,  Mrs.  Harvey  ? "  asked  Garden. 

"To  the  brigands'  cave,  to  seek  his  master." 

"  If  he  found  it,"  answered  Garden,  "  he  is  cleverer  than 
we  have  been  able  to  show  ourselves." 

In  a  few  hours  Monday  awoke,  refreshed  in  mind  and 
body. 

He  at  once  went  into  the  drawing-room,  where  he  found 
the  ladies  and  gentlemen  assembled. 

Dinner  was  over,  and  the  cool  evening  air  penetrated 
through  the  jalousies  at  the  open  windows. 

"  Here  he  is,"  said  Mr.  Mole.  "  Shall  I  be  spokesman  ? 
These  black  fellows,  as  I  know  from  experience,  are  fond  ot 
exaggerating,  and  it  will  be  as  well  if  I  subject  him  to  a 
searching  examination." 

"  As  you  like,  sir,"  replied  Harvey,  "  though  I  think  we 
know  Monday  well  enough  by  this  time  to  feel  that  he  will 
not  deceive  us." 

"Take  a  chair,  my  man,"  remarked  Mr.  Mole. 

"  Um  rather  stand,  sare,"  said  Monday. 

"  Very  well.     Now  tell  us  where  you  have  been." 

"  To  the  brigands'  cave,  sare." 

"  Did  you  see  Harkaway  ?  " 

"  Yes,  sare  ;  urn  see  Mast'  Jack  right  enough." 

"  Bless  us  !  This  is  incredible,"  said  Mr.  Mole.  "  Let 
us  hear  your  adventures  from  beginning  to  end." 

Monday  accordingly  related  all  that  had  occurred. 

"There!"  cried  Garden,  triumphantly;  "  what  did  I  tell 
you  ?  Didn't  I  always  say  the  brigands  were  nested  up 
close  to  Villanova's  castle  ?  " 

"Upon  my  word,"  exclaimed  Harvey,  "this  is  great  news." 

"  Immense!  "  observed  the  little  coxswain.  "We  are  no 
longer  fighting  with  shadows." 

"No,  we  can  spot  our  enemies  now,"  replied  Garden. 

"  It's  all  up  with  Barboni,  you  bet,"  said  the  coxswain, 
with  an  air  of  determination. 

"  The  thanks  of  this  house,"  said  Mr.  Mole,  "  are  due  to 
our  mutual  friend,  Monday." 

Hilda  rose,  and  taking  Harvey's  watch  and  chain  from 
ois  waistcoat,  presented  them  to  the  faithful  black. 


/A  CK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.        43 

*'  Here  is  a  present  for  you,"  she  said. 

"  Quite  right,  my  dear,"  exclaimed  Harvey  ;  "  I'm  glad 
you  thought  of  it." 

He  never  contradicted  his  wife.  Everything  she  did  was 
right  in  his  eyes. 

What  did  it  matter  that  the  watch  and  chain  had  cost 
eighty  guineas  ? 

Monday  had  deserved  it. 

The  black's  eyes  were  moist  with  emotion  as  he  received 
this  mark  of  affectionate  esteem  and  regard. 

"  Me  keep  it  for  your  sake,  Missey  Hilda — and  yours  too, 
Mast'  Harvey,  and  thank  you  both  for  thinking  of  um  poor 
black  servant,"  he  said. 

"  Don't  run  yourself  down,  old  friend,''  said  Harvey. 
"  You  know  you're  a  prince,  and  only  serve  Jack  as  a  sort 
of  favour." 

"  No,  sare,"  replied  Monday ;  "  me  serve  Mast'  Jack  as 
um  light,  because  he  save  um  life.  Me  wait  on  the  others 
as  favour.  That  all  um  difference." 

He  put  on  the  watch  and  chain,  and  examined  the  lockets 
attached  to  the  latter,  which  contained  photographs  of  Har- 
vey and  Hilda,  and  regarded  his  new  acquisition  with  all  the 
pride  that  barbaric  races  attach  to  geld  and  trinkets. 

"  We  must  lose  no  time  in  following  Harkaway's  orders," 
remarked  Garden. 

"One  company  of  soldiers  will  be  enough,  I  should  think/ 
said  Harvey. 

"  Lots." 

"  I  suppose,  Mr.  Monday,"  said  the  little  coxswain,  "  that 
you  can  find  the  place  again  ?" 

"  Monday  never  forget  any  thing,"  was  the  reply. 

"  You  must  let  me  accompany  you,  this  time,"  said  Hilda 

"  You  !  "  cried  Harvey,  in  amazement. 

"Yes,  my  dear  Dick,"  she  continued;  "  I  shall  disguise 
myself  as  an  Italian  peasant  woman.  You  know  I  can  speak 
the  language  very  well." 

"  But  where's  the  good  ?  " 

"If  you  are  repulsed,  as  you  may  be,  I  have  my  own 
idea." 

"  This  is  rash,"  said  Harvey. 

"  Not  more  so  than  your  own  conduct." 

"  Of  course  we  are  bound  to  do  all  we  can  for  Hark 
away." 


+4       JACK  HARKA  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS 

"  And  am  I  to  do  nothing  for  Emily  ?  Do  not  think  mat 
women  are  only  rit  for  sewing  on  buttons  and  nursing  chil- 
dren. I  believe  that  my  sex  are  capable  of  higher  things, 
and  in  this  instance,  I  must  have  my  way,  please." 

"  Very  well ;  you  shall  take  a  part  in  the  drama,  though 
I  trust  you  will  keep  out  of  danger,"  said  Harvey. 

Hilda  was  satisfied  with  this  assurance.  Lily  Cockles 
was  surprised  at  Hilda's  cool  courage,  and  declared  that  she 
couid  not  have  made  up  her  mind  to  go  near  the  brigands 
if  anybody  had  offered  her  a  thousand  pounds. 

Hilda  was  grand  in  her  determination. 

Ever  fearless,  generous  and  enterprising,  she  came  for- 
ward like  a  Jewish  heroine  of  the  olden  time. 

That  evening  Garden  took  Monday  to  General  Cialdini's. 

The  magnificent  discovery  that  the  black  had  made  was 
related  to  the  commander-in  chief. 

It  would  be  no  exaggeration  to  say  that  the  gallant  old 
genera-  was  half  mad  with  joy. 

He  had  received  a  notice  from  Florence,  then  the  capital  of 
Italy,  that  he  would  be  superseded  if  the  brigands  were  not 
put  down. 

The  scandal  was  becoming  too  great. 

"  If  thit  nest  of  vipers  is  stamped  out,"  he  said,  patting 
Monday  on  the  back.  "  I  believe  I  can  get  you  an  order  of 
merit  from  King  Victor  Emmanuel  himself." 

"  Um  only  want  to  get  Mast'  Jack  out,  sare,"  replied 
Monday,  modestly. 

That  no  time  might  be  lost,  it  was  arranged  that  the  very 
next  day  a  company  of  soldiers  should  go  with  the  Eng- 
lish "  volunteers "  to  surprise  the  brigands  in  their  cave, 
during  the  night. 

Everyone  felt  confident  of  success. 

Mr.  Mole  declared  that  he  should  commit  terrible  slaugh- 
ter amongst  the  Amalekites,  and  put  ninety-nine  and  «?. 
half  per  cent,  of  them  to  the  edge  of  the  sword. 

Certainly  the  prospect  looked  encouraging. 

Monday's  discovery  had  altered  the  look  or  affairs 
altogether.  There  was  no  longer  any  mystery  about  the 
brigands. 

They  had  a  cave,  and  were  to  be  found  at  a  certain   spot. 

What  was  easier  than  to  drop  down  upon  and  exterminate 
(hem  as  one  would  a  brooil  of  vipers  ? 

This  was  the  genera)  opinion. 


fACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.        45 
CHAPTER  XLIX. 

"  I'VE  GOT  MY  BILLET — LET  ME  DIE." 

IN  the  morning  Bigamini  paid  Monday  a  visit. 

He  saw  that  great  preparations  were  being  made,  and  was 
anxious  to  know  the  object  of  them. 

"  Going  after  the  brigands  ? "  asked  Bigamiru,  carelessly. 

"  Yes,"  replied  Monday,  "  um  soon  make  short  work  of 
um  brigands." 

"How?" 

"  Me  find  out  where  um  cave  is,"  replied  Monday,  with  an 
air  of  triumph. 

"  Indeed.     How  did  you  manage  to  do  that  ? " 

"That  um  secret  which  shan't  tell  you.  Now  we  all  go 
with  soldiers  and  cut  um  up  fine." 

"  Wish  you  luck,"  replied  Bigamini. 

"  Seen  um  old  woman  since  ?  "  asked  Monday,  mischiev- 
ously. 

"No,"  answered  Bigamini,  "I've  dodged  her  pretty  well, 
and  I  shall  have  to  cut  Naples  if  she  makes  it  too  hot  for 
rne.;' 

"  Take  um  glass  of  wine  before  you  go." 

"  Don't  mind  if  I  do." 

Monday  gave  him  something  to  drink  and  he  took  his 
leave  rather  hurriedly. 

Going  to  a  stable,  he  hired  a  horse,  as  he  was  often  in 
the  habit  of  doing. 

Mounting  the  animal,  he  rode  at  his  best  speed  towards 
the  brigands'  cave. 

It  was  an  idle  day  with  the  rascals. 

They  were  lounging  about  inside  or  outside  the  cave,  and 
seemed  rather  grave  and  frightened. 

Everyone  was  talking  about  the  black  ghost  which  had 
paid  them  a  visit  on  the  previous  night  and  killed  three  of 
their  number. 

Hunston  was  making  a  speech  in  Italian  as  Bigamini 
arrived. 

"  I  tell  you,"  he  said,  "  that  you  are  a  parcel  of  fools, 
There  are  no  such  things  as  ghosts." 

"  Right,  sir,"  said  Bigamini.     "  I'll  explain  the  ghost." 


46        JACK  HARKA  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

"Ah  !  Is  it  you,  my  prince  of  spies  ?  "     replied  Hunston. 

"  Yes,  sir.     Can  I  speak  with  you  privately  ?  " 

"  Come  into  my  private  room.     Is  your  news  important  ?  " 

"  Life  and  death,  sir." 

"  Giacomo  !  "  exclaimed  Hunston. 

A  brigand  saluted  in  military  fashion. 

"Telegraph  for  the  chief  —  quick.  Lose  no  time,"  said 
Hunston,  who,  turning  to  the  spy,  added  — 

"  Refresh  yourself,  my  little  man,  and  when  Barboni 
arrives,  I  will  send  for  you/' 

Bigamini  thanked  Hunston,  and  was  at  once  the  centre 
of  attraction  among  the  brigands. 

He  partook  of  refreshment,  and  laughed  at  them  for 
their  silly  fears. 

He  declared  that  there  was  no  such  thing  as  ghosts,  and 
he  expected  someone  had  come  as  a  spy  among  them. 

Many  shook  their  heads  and  refused  to  believe  this. 

They  had  seen  a  fiery  creature,  surrounded  by  flames  and 
smoke,  which  had  danced  about  in  their  midst. 

Some  said  it  was  an  imp  of  Vesuvius. 

All  thought  it  forboded  some  great  misfortune. 

Presently  Bigamini  was  sent  for. 

Barboni  asked  him  a  variety  of  questions,  and  seemed  very 
3>rave  when  he  heard  the  news  that  they  were  to  be  attacked. 

"  It  seems  to  me,"  said  Hunston,  "  that  the  game's  up." 

"Not  while  I  breathe,"  replied  Barboni,  with  an  air  of 
determination. 

:  What  are  we  to  do  ?  *' 

"  You  know  that  we  have  two  mitrailleuses  —  one  on  each 
ide  of  the  entrance  to  the  cave." 


"  These  machines  can  fire  one   hundred  shots   a 
and  when  the  soldiers  come  up,  we  can  annihilate  them." 

"  We  will  try  anyhow,  though  getting  right  away  would  be 
saxor,"  sjvld  Hunston. 

"  That  would  not  answer  my  purpose." 

''  We  shall  never  be  secure  here  any  more,  since  we  are 
somehow  found  out." 

"  True,"  replied  Barboni,  gloomily.     "  I  know  not  how  to 
act.     This  night  attack  must  be  repulsed,  however." 

"  Things  are  getting  desperate." 

"We  have  Harkaway  and   his  wife,  though,,     Cospetto! 
that  is  very  much  in  our  favour." 


JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.         vf 

"  Why  not  kill  Harkaway  straight  out  ?  "  asked  Hunston, 
with  a  savage  gleam  of  hatred  in  his  basilisk  eye. 

"  Because  it  answers  our  purpose  ever  so  much  better  to 
keep  him  alive." 

"  I  don't  see  it." 

"•  Per  Baccho  !  man,  you  must  be  blind.  With  Mrs.  Hark- 
away  in  our  power,  we  can  always  make  terms  for  our- 
selves." 

"  Well,  yes,"  replied  Hunston,  hesitatingly ;  "  there  is 
something  in  that." 

"  Go  at  once  and  make  all  preparations  for  the  defence. 
We  will  not  be  surprised  in  the  night,  as  they  fondly  hope." 

"  It  was  a  narrow  shave,  though,"  said  Hunston. 

"  Very.  Bigamini  has  done  his  duty  ;  I  thank  him.  Come 
to  the  treasury  to-morrow  after  the  fight,  my  good  fellow,  and 
if  either  of  us  live,  you  shall  be  handsomely  rewarded,"  said 
Barboni. 

"  Thank  your  highness,"  replied  Bigamini,  humbly, 
«  but 

"  What  ? " 

"  I  am  only  a  spy,  signer,  an  'umble  spy,  a  very  humble 
spy,  signor,  and  righting  ain't  in  my  line,  exactly." 

"  You  can  look  on,  if  you  like.  We  can  do  without  you," 
replied  the  brigand,  contemptuously. 

"May  I  have  the  Kvvard  at  once,  signor?" 

"  Why  ? " 

"You're  very  brave,  your  highness,  and  so  is  Signer 
Hunstoni,  and  you  might  expose  yourselves  and  get  killed, 
and  then  I  shouldn't  have  the  reward." 

"  Get  out,  you  low,  calculating  humbug,"  cried  Hunston 
"  you  must  take  your  chance  with  the  rest." 

Seizing  Bigamini  by  the  shoulders,  he  kicked  him  out  of 
the  cell,  and  the  little  man  tumbled  on  his  hands  and  knees 
in  the  passage. 

An  aggrieved  look  was  on  his  face  as  he  got  up. 

"This  isn't  the  first  time  I've  been  kicked  and  cuffed  till 
my  sit-on-it's  got  quite  sore,"  he  said,  to  himself. 

He  heaved  a  deep  sigh. 

"  I  suppose  it's  my  lot,"  he  added,  in  a  tone  of  resig- 
nation. "I'm  only  21  miserable  Bigamini.  My  wife's  down 
on  me  like  a  beaver.,  and  I  shall  never,  never  be  a  happy 
Smiffins  no  more." 

With  this  reflection  on  his  lips,  he  retired  to  the    grc;-.1; 


48         JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

hall,  where  he  applied  himself  with  such  success  to  a  barrel 
of  wine,  that  he  quickly  fell  into  a  dozy  state  in  a  corner. 

The  presumption  was  that  he  forgot  his  cares.  But  at 
intervals  he  muttered — 

"  Oh  !  Sarah  Ann,  Oh  I  Sarah  Ann,  don't  kick  so  'ard, 
and  I'll  becoipe  v.  u^nrw  StnJfiins  once  more,  and  never  be 
a  Bigamini  again. 

The  remainder  of  the  day  was  passed  very  moodily  by 
the  brigand. 

His  dark  hour  was  upon  him. 

The  news  brought  by  Bigamini  had  dreadfully  unnerved 
him. 

Nor  was  this  to  be  wondered  at. 

For  some  time  he  had  defied  all  the  efforts  of  the  English 
to  discover  his  cave. 

At  lengtl?  his  hiding-place  w»_s  found  out,  and  in  a  Taw 
hours  an  attack  in  force  would  be  made  upon  it. 

He  spent  some  time  in  close  conversation  with  Hunston 
and  Barrel. 

The  brigands  were  informed  of  their  danger,  and  each 
looked  to  his  arms. 

Two  strange-looking  guns,  called  mitrailleuses,  were 
loaded  and  supplied  with  a  quantity  of  ammunition. 

These  were  placed  at  the  mouth  of  the  cave. 

They  could  fire  a  great  quantity  of  bullets,  and  the  strange 
machine  were  worked  by  a  handle,  which  a  brigand  turned 
when  it  was  required  to  fire  them. 

While  walking  along  one  of  the  galleries  in  the  cave,  the 
brigand  chief  was  confronted  by  the  strange  lady. 

To  the  members  of  the  band  she  was  il Spirit o,  or  the  spirit. 

To  Barboni,  5il\e  •was  Lady  Darrel. 

Ever  since  th^  scene  m  cne  cuve,  ^nen  sfie  had  interfered 
to  protect  him,  she  had  taken  great  care  of  the  boy. 

Fearful  that  he  might  again  be  ill-treated  or  murdered,  she 
kept  him  as  much  by  her  side  as  she  could. 

"  Ha ! "  she  exclaimed,  as  she  saw  the  brigand  ;  "  care  is 
on  your  brow." 

"  Let  me  pass,"  he  answered,  sternly. 

"  Your  hour  is  coming,"  continued  Lady  Darre,v  "  1  can 
see  that  your  star  is  waning." 

"  By  Heaven,  you  are  wrong,"  answered  Barbon 

"  I  have  heard  the  news." 

"  What  of  that  ? " 


JA  CK  HARKA  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.         49 

-  Your  cave  is  discovered.     To-night  you  will  be  attacked." 

•*  Those  who  dare  attack  Barboni  will  suffer  for  their  rash- 
ness.5' 

"Bad  man,"  said  Lady  Barrel,  solemnly,  "you  have  off- 
ended Heaven  too  long." 

"Heaven  is  too  far  off  to  take  any  notice  of  me,"  answered 
the  brigand,  with  a  harsh  laugh. 

"  Scoffer  !  "  she  cried,  "  my  wrongs  will  be  avenged." 

"  Yours  !  "  he  answered.  "  What  have  you  to  complain  of  ? 
Per Dios ! 'you  are  lucky  thai  I  have  allowed  you  to  live." 

"  I  have  allowed  myseli,"  she  answered. 

"  Why  ?  " 

"  Because  I  love  my  poor  weak-minded  boy,  who  will  some 
day  be  Lord  Barrel,  a  peer  of  England." 

"  Never  1 " 

"  I  tell  you  he  will.  I  am  living  to  see  him  restored  to  h%< 
rights,  and  then  death  will  be  welcome," 

"  You  are  mad,"  said  Barboni. 

The  poor  woman  pressed  her  hand  to  her  brow. 

"  Sometimes  I  think  I  am,"  she  answered  ;  "  but  I  try  to 
keep  my  head  clear  for  my  son's  sake." 

"  Let  me  pass,  you  drivelling  idot,"  said  Barboni,  impa- 
tiently. 

"  Not  till  you  hear  all  I  have  to  say." 

"  Speak  quickly,  then." 

"  You  are  doomed." 

"Ha,  hal" 

Barboni  laughed  scornfully. 

"  Your  sins  have  found  you  out,"  she  continued.  "  I  know 
all.  The  hand  of  Providence  is  in  this." 

"  Bah  1  Are  you  talking  to  a  child  ? "  said  the  brigand, 
contemptuously. 

"  You  murdered  my  husband,"  said  Lady  Barrel ;  "  and  I, 
poor,  weak  thing,  lived  while  you  carried  me  away  to  this 
country  with  my  child,  so  that  you  might  put  your  own  son 
in  his  place  and  make  him  a  rich  lord." 

"  That  is  an  old  story." 

"What  of  that?     Is  it  less  true  ?" 

"Get  out  of  my  way,  will  you  ? "  cried  Barboni. 

The  veins  in  his  forehead  began  to  swell  visibly. 

This  was  a  sign  that  his  mood  was  becoming  dangerous. 

"Your  son  killed  a  man  by  a  cowardly  blow,  and  was 

obliged  to  leave  England,"  continued  Lady  Barrel,"  and " 

4 


50       JACK  HARKAWA*    AMbSG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

"  Fool  !  "  hissed  Barboni,  through  his  clenched  teethv 
"*  why  do  you  irritate  me  with  this  twaddle  ?  " 

"  Is  it  true  or  not  ?  " 

"  I  know  it  to  be  true  ;  but  what  can  you  do  ?  " 

"  I  can  revenge  myself  on  you." 

"  Nonsense,"  said  Barboni.  "  Only  a  confession  from  me 
would  ever  make  your  poor  lunatic  boy  Lord  Barrel." 

<l  I  will  wring  it  from  you." 

'  Stand  aside,  I  say,"  he  cried,  losing  all  patience. 

•'  People  will  recognise  me,"  replied  Lady  Barrel,  ob- 
tinately  ;  "  and  when  I  tell  my  tale  of  wrong,  my  poor  boy 
*ill  take  the  place  that  your  wretched  son  has  occupied  so 


Fool  !  "  said  Barboni,  "  I  am  in  no  mood  for  this  sort  of 
talk." 

He  then  pushed  her  away  violently  with  his  hand. 

"  Bo  you  dare  to  touch  me  with  your  vile  hands  ?  "  she 
said. 

Her  eyes  flashed  dangerously. 

Raising  his  fist,  the  brigand  struck  her  between  the  eyes 
tfith  all  his  might. 

"  Curse  you  !  "  he  said.  "  Take  that,  you  infernal  wretch  ! 
You  ought  to  have  learnt  common  sense  after  all  these 
years." 

She  fell  heavily  against  the  hard  rock,  and  her  eyes  closed 
in  insensibility. 

Barboni  strode  on,  and  was  soon  lost  to  sight  in  the  mazy 
windings  of  the  gallery. 

Scarcely  had  the  sullen  echo  of  his  footsteps  died  away, 
when  a  young  man  emerged  from  a  sheltered  corner. 

It  was  Luni. 

He  raised  Lady  Barrel's  blood-stained  face,  and  his  tears 
fell  fast  upon  the  pale  features. 

These  were  dimly  lit  up  by  a  lamp,  which  stood  a  little 
distance  off,  and  shed  its  sickly  light  around. 

"  Mother,  dearest  mother  !  "  said  Luni. 

Lady  Barrel  nyi^e  no  answer. 

*'  Speak  to  me,  mother,  "  he  cried. 

"Alas,  she  is  dead  !  "  continued  the  unfortunate  boy,  as 
he  gazed  upon  her  pale  face  and  motionless  form. 

With  a  deep  sigh  Lady  Barrel  opened  her  eyes. 

Her  gaze  fell  upon  Luni. 

£  Is  it  you,  my  sweet  one  ?  "    she  said. 


JACK  HARK  AW  AY  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.      51 

"Yes,  mother." 
"Where  is  Dominico?" 
"Who?" 

"Ah!  you  do  not  know  him  by  that  name.     That  was  how 
we  called  Barboni  when  he  was  your  father's  steward." 
"He  is  gone,  mother,"  said  Luni,  "I — I  saw  him  hit  you, 
but  I — I  was  afraid  to  say  anything." 

"You  were  right,  my  child,"  said  Lady  Barrel;  "leave  it  all 
to  me." 

"You  told  me  to  do  so,  when  you  let  me  know  that  you  were 
my  mother,"  replied  Luni. 
"Yes,  my  precious  one." 

She  held  his  hand  in  hers,  and  pressed  it  tenderly. 
"Will  the  bad  man  be  punished ?"  asked  Luni. 
"Sooner  than  he  thinks.     Help  me  up,  my  child;  let  me  lean 
on  you." 

She  rose  with  difficulty. 
"The  brute! — to  hit  you  with  his  fist,"  said  Luni. 

"It  is  not  the  first  time,"  she  replied,  "but " 

"What,  mother?" 

"It  shall  be  the  last,  my  dear." 

She  spoke  with  the  solemn  impress  of  an  internal  conviction, 
amounting  to  a  revelation. 

"Shall  we  go  from  here  soon,  mother f"  asked  Luni. 
"Soon,  my  child." 

"Oh!  I  am  so  pleased,"  returned  the  weak-minded  Luni. 
"Soon,"  said  Lady  Barrel,  "these  caves  will  be  as  silent  as 
a  desert." 
"Nooneheref" 

"Not  a  soul.  The  owl  and  the  bat  will  flutter  their  wings 
lazily  in  the  blood-stained  spot.  But,  hush,  I  hear  footsteps. 
Give  me  your  hand,  Luni;  my  eyes  are  weak  and  swollen  from 
that  coward's  blow." 

The    young   man    extended    his   hand,    and   they   retreated 
through  the  long  galleries. 

Luni  knew  every  turning,  and  they  were  speedily  lost  to 
sight. 

Night  came. 

The  brigands  were  on  the  alert. 

It  was  about  three  in  the  morning  when  the  advanced  guard 
gave  the  alarm. 

Two  shots  were  heard,  and  the  brigands,  who  fired  them, 
hastily  retreated  to  the  cave. 


52        JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

Barboni  was  at  the  head  of  his  men,  calm,  cool,  confident. 

Nothing  could  shake  the  dauntless  demeanour  of  this  man. 

Hunston  and  Barrel  s*:ood  ready  to  fight  to  the  death  if 
necessary. 

So  did  every  member  of  the  band. 

These  desperate  fellows  knew  that  capture  was  death. 

Therefore,  it  was  better  to  die  fighting  than  be  taken 
prisoners. 

"  Hunstoni  to  the  right,  Barrel  to  the  left,"  said  Barboni. 
"  See  the  Catlings  worked  under  your  own  eyes." 

The  Galling  guns  were  the  mitrailleuses,  thc.je  terrible 
machines  which  pour  in  a  hail  of  shot  by  the  mere  turning 
of  a  hs.idle. 

Steadily  approached  the  enemy. 

It  had  been  decided  that  Garden  should  lead  the  Bersa- 
glieri. 

Monday  was  by  his  side. 

Harvey,  Mr.  Mole,  and  the  little  coxswain  brought  up  the 
rear. 

Behind  all  was  Hilda,  disguised  as  an  Italian  peasant. 

It  was  not  considered  advisable  tor  more  than  one  to  lead 
the  soldiers,  in  case  M  accident. 

Lots  had  been  drawn,  as  each  was  anxious  to  accept  the 
dangerous  duty. 

The  lot  had  fallen  upon  Garden. 

About  a  hundred  and  twenty  soldiers  entered  the  defile 
leading  to  the  brigands'  cave. 

This  did  not  include  four  officers,  Garden,  and  Monday, 

Suddenly  the  black  said — 

"Here  um  be,  sare.  Look  out.  Mast*  Garden1,  urn  see 
the  brigand  beasts." 

As  he  spoke,  he  sank  on  his  hands  and  knees. 

He  crawled  out  of  the  way  of  the  soldiers,  and  got  up 
against  a  rock. 

It  was  lucky  for  him  he  did  so. 

"  What  for  um  fight  ? "  he  said  to  himself.  "  Plenty  Italian 
mens  to  fight.  Monday  fight  when  wanted ;  now  um  have  a 
quiet  look-on." 

Suddenly  half  a  dozen  blue  lights  were  lurown  out  in  front 
of  the  soldiers. 

They  flared  up  on  the  ground. 

Everything  became  as  light  as  day.  A  lurid  glare  lit  up 
the  surrounding  objects. 


JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.         ft 

The  soldiers  hesitated,  and  would  have  retreated. 

In  the  yawning  gulf  before  them  they  sav;  fierce  men  and 
gleaming  rifle  barrels. 

"  Courage,  soldati,  courage  !  "  cried  Garden. 

"  Forward  !  "  said  the  officers. 

Still  the  men  hesitated. 

"  Follow  me  !  "  cried  Garden,  drawing  his  sword. 

He  rushed  forward. 

His  example  was  irresistible. 

The  soldiers  uttered  a  wild  "  Bravo  ! "  and  rushed  into  the 
jaws  of  death. 

A  harsh  grinding  noise  was  heard. 

The  mitrailleuses  were  at  work. 

Fiercely,  fatally  fell  the  iron  hail  upon  the  doomed  band. 

Men  fell  like  corn  before  the  sickle. 

A  deadly  fire  was  poured  in  upon  the  wavering  mass. 

Sword  in  hand,  li!:e  a  hero,  Garden  bit  the  dust. 

Out  of  all  the  attacking  party,  scarcely  a  handful  escaped. 

These,  scared  and  breathless,  joined  Harvey  and  the  other*. 

The  blue  ^^f  ^  died  out. 

Grim  blr,c!:n:~s  reigned  every  where  once  more. 

Nothing  .::.-.,  1  ,ard  but  the  groans  of  the  dying. 

"  This  is  av.iui,"  -aid  Harvey. 

'  Confound  it  all!"  said  the  little  coxswain.  "We  aie 
betrayed.'3 

He  was  about  to  rush  forward,  but  Harvey  restrained  him. 

"It's  no  use,"  said  Harvey;  "we're  licked  this  time;  but 
no  matter ;  they  are  like  rats  in  a  trap.  We  must  have 
them  sooner  or  later." 

"Where's  Garden?" 

"  Killed,  I  fear." 

Suddenly  Monday's  form  was  seen  in  the  imperfect  light. 

Day  was  just  beginning  to  break. 

In  his  arms  he  carried  a  blood-stained  body. 

"  It  is  Garden,"  said  Harvey,  with  one  look  at  the  pale 
face. 

Slowly  the  little  party  retreated. 

Not  knowing  what  force  might  be  yet  outside,  the  brigands 
did  not  dare  to  come  into  the  open. 

Barboni  would  not  risk  his  men's  lives. 

Thus  far  he  could  not  follow  up  his  success. 

That  the  troops  had  been  cut  to  pieces,  and  the  attacking 
party  received  a  severe  check,  was  enough  for  b'rn 


54        JACK  HARKA  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIG  A  NDS. 

When  the  little  party  had  removed  out  of  danger,  they 
nalted. 

Two  of  the  soldiers  who  had  escaped,  were  dispatched 
immediately,  to  Naples  for  reinforcements. 

The  remainder,  about  a  dozen  in  number,  were  prepared 
to  defend  their  lives  bravely. 

Harvey  bent  over  the  body  of  Garden,  which  was  stretched 
out  on  the  grass. 

"  How  are  you,  old  fellow  ?  "  he  exclaimed. 

"  I've  got  my  billet,  let  me  die,"  murmured  Garden,  in  a 
faint  voice. 

A  tear  fell  from  Harvey's  eye. 

"  Cheer  up,"  he  exclaimed ;  "  it  may  not  be  so  bad  as  you 
expect." 

"  I'm  riddled  with  balls,"  replied  Garden. 

"  Monday  did  what  um  could,"  said  the  black,  "  um  see 
him  fall  and  pick  him  up  quick." 

"  You  can't  save  my  life,"  said  the  dying  man. 

The  little  coxswain  supported  his  head. 

Hilda  and  Harvey  endeavoured  to  stop  the  flow  of  blood. 

But  he  was  bleeding  internally. 

It  was  clear  to  an  unprofessional  eye  that  the  days  of  the 
gallant  captain  of  the  Oxford  eight  were  numbered. 

"  Ha — Harvey,"  he  said  in  a  fainter  voice. 

"  What  is  it,  old  boy  ? " 

"  D — don't  mess  me  about.  I've  got  my  ticket.  Thank 
you  all  ve — very  much." 

"  You'll  live  a  lot  yet,"  said  Walter. 

"N — no.  I'm  booked.  We  m — must  all  d — die  some 
day.  W — will  you  do  me  a  fa — favour  ? " 

"  Of  course  I  will." 

Garden  spoke  with  difficulty,  and  his  breathing  was  hard 
and  stertorous. 

''Telegraph  to  England." 

"  Yes." 

"  T — to  my  cousin." 

"  What's  his  name  ? " 

'*  Lord  St.  Glair— Bertie  St  Clair  we  used  to  ca— call  him, " 

"  Yes." 

"  Tell  him  to  co — come  over  here  and  just  revenge  mv 
de— death." 

"  Certainly,"  replied  Harvey. 

"  BV*— Ber  -Bertie's  in  the  Guards." 


JACK  HARKA  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.         55 

"  Then  a  wire  to  the  Guards'  Club,  Pall  Mall,  will  find 
him." 

"  That's  it.  Oh,  this  pain.  Sa — say  I  did  my  du — du — 
duty  before  I  died,"  muttered  the  wounded  man. 

"You're  a  brick,"  replied  Harvey. 

"I  wish  I  could  die  for  you,"  exclaimed  the  little  cox- 
swain, sobbing  like  a  child. 

"  Gi — give  me  your  hands,  you  fellows,"  said  Garden. 

He  held  each  of  their  hands  in  his  own  almost  pulseless 
fingers. 

"  Good-bye.     God  bl — bless  you  all !  "  he  murmured. 

His  voice  was  little  above  a  whisper. 

The  end  was  rapidly  approaching. 

"  Tell  Jack,  I — I  tried  to  get  him  out,  wi — will  you  ?  "  he 
cried. 

"  Harkaway  shall  know,"  answered  Harvey. 

"  How  dar — dark  it  is.     I — I  can't  see  anyone." 

Neither  Harvey  nor  Campbell  could  trust  themselves  tc 
speak. 

The  silence  was  only  broken  by  their  sobs. 

"Oh,  God!  all  mer — merciful,"  said  Garden,  "receive 
my  sp — ir — it.  I  co — come,  I  co — me  to  Thee." 

These  were  his  last  words. 

So  died  as  brave  a  Christian  gentleman  as  ever  breathed. 

Done  to  death  by  the  brigands. 

Shot  like  a  dog  in  a  deadly  ambush  by  the  rascally  thieves 
and  cowards  who  held  his  "rend  Harkaway  captive  in  their 
midst. 

He  had  led  a  pure  and  spotless  life. 

Better  that  the  whole  bandit  band  should  be  exterminated 
then  that  he  should  perish. 

But  it  was  not  to  be. 

The  decrees  of  Providence  are  inscrutable. 

Tom  Garden  was  dead.     Barboni  lived. 


56        JACK  HARKA  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

CHAPTER  L. 

THE  ESCAPE  OF  THE  PRISONER. 

IT  was  necessary  to  retreat.  At  daybreak,  the  brigands 
might  come  out  of  the  cave,  and  seeing  the  smallness  of  the 
force  left  to  oppose  them,  make  a  furious  onslaught. 

The  attack  had  failed. 

Signally  failed. 

The  Italians  made  a  sort  of  rest  of  their  guns,  and  be- 
tween them  carried  the  body  of  Garden. 

Day  broke,  bright  and  glorious. 

The  sun  shone  on  the  piles  of  ghastly  corpses  which 
blocked  the  entrance  to  the  cave. 

Very  melancholy  was  the  retreat. 

Their  progress  was  necessarily  slow. 

Harvey  and  Campbell  were  bowed  down  with  grief. 

Their  friend  Garden  was  dead. 

Gut  off  in  his  prime. 

Their  leader,  Jack  Harkaway,  and  his  amiable  wife,  who 
was  beloved  by  all,  were  captives  in  the  hands  of  the  brig- 
ands. 

They  had  not  gone  more  than  a  couple  of  miles  before 
footsteps  were  heard  in  their  rear. 

"  Who  goes  there  ?  "  asked  Harvey,  in  a  loud  voice. 

"  Friends,"  was  the  reply,  in  a  feminine  tone. 

The  soldiers  halted,  and  presented  their  arms. 

Presently  two  women  and  a  man  were  seen  approaching. 

One  ran  forward,  and  threw  herself  into  Hilda's  arms. 

"Emily,"  said  Hilda. 

"Yes,  dear,"  replied  Emily,  "you  see  your  friend  again. ' 

"  Is  it  possible  ?  How  did  you  escape  ? "  asked  Hilda,  iu 
bewilderment. 

"  Ask  this  lady." 

Emily  pointed  to  a  tall  thin  form,  badly  dressed,  but  yet 
preserving  a  dignified  appearance. 

"  I  am  Lady  Barrel,"  said  the  second  woman. 

"  Barrel  ?  "  repeated  Harvey. 

"  I  see  you  know  the  name.  Barboni,  alias  Bominico^ 
was  mv  poor  husband's  steward." 

"  Indeed  1 " 


JACK  HARK  AW  AY  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.      57 

"He  murdered  him,  and  carried  me  and  my  son  off,  and  placed 
his  own  child  in  his  position." 

"The  scoundrel!"  exclaimed  Harvey. 

"For  years  my  child  and  I  have  been  kept  in  bondage. 
To-night  we  seized  our  opportunity  and  escaped." 

"Where  is  Jackf "  asked  Hilda. 

"We  could  not  get  him  away,"  replied  Emily.  "He  is  too 
closely  guarded." 

"His  turn  will  come,"  said  Lady  Barrel. 

"I  did  not  want  to  go  without  him,"  exclaimed  Emily;  "but 
this  good  lady  assured  me  his  life  was  in  no  danger  at  present, 
and  I  saw  that  I  could  do  him  no  good  by  staying." 

"Wonders  will  never  cease." 

"If  you  are  Lady  Barrel,"  said  Harvey,  "and  this  young 
man  your  son,  who  is  Gus  Barrel?" 

"An  impostor." 

"I  always  thought  so." 

"He  is  the  brigand's  son,"  replied  Lady  Barrel. 

"Answer  me  one  more  question." 

"Name  it." 

'•'Are  Barboni  and  the  Prince  di  Villanova  one  and  the  same 
person?" 

"They  are." 
This  reply  made  a  great  impression  upon  her  hearers. 

"Garden  was  right,  poor  fellow;  we  would  not  believe  him," 
said  Harvey. 

"I  wish  he  was  alive  to  hear  this,"  remarked  the  little  cox- 
swain. 

"Barboni,"  said  Lady  Barrel,  "murdered  the  young  Prince 
di  Villanova  and  took  his  title  and  estates." 

"There  is  no  end  to  the  fellow's   villiny,"  observed    Harvey 

"If  you  knew  him  as  well  as  I  do,"  answered  her  ladyship, 
"you  would  say  he  was  a  fiend  in  human  shape." 

It  was  great  news  to  hear  that  Villanova  and  Barboni  were 
the  same  person. 

The  mystery  was  cleared  up  at  last. 

"Barboni  disguises  himself  by  putting  on  a  false  beard,"  cried 
Lady  Barrel. 

"Ah!"  said  the  coxswain,  drawing  a  deep  breath. 

"He  always  wears  a  shirt  of  strong  chain  mail." 

"That's  why  I  didn't  kill  him  when  I  fired,"  cried  Walter. 

"The  brigands  are  all  getting     tipsy     over    their     success," 


5S      JACK  HARK  AW  AY  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

said  her  ladyship,  "and  we  took  advantage  of  the  confusion 
to  get  away." 

"Will  they  stay  in  the  cavef" 

"Not  when  they  discover  our  escape.  Let  us  hasten  awaw 
I  have  no  friends,  no  home,  but  you  are  English,  and  you  will 
shelter  me?" 

"My  dear  lady,"  replied  Harvey,  "you  shall  make  our  house 
your  home." 

"How  can  I  thank  youf"  she  said  in  a  tone  of  deep  feeling. 
"Have  you  not  rendered  us  the  greatest  service  you  could, 
in  releasing  our  dear  friend,  Mrs.  Harkawayf " 
"Poor  thing,"  said  Lady  Barrel.     "I  know  how  she    must 
suffer." 

"Forward,"  replied  Harvey.  "We  will  talk  as  we  go.  We  are 
not  safe  till  we  see  Naples  again." 

Hilda  and  Emily  were  walking  arm-in-arm. 
They  had  so  much  to  say  to  one  another. 
Luni,   looking  quite   a  man  now,   supported   the   tottering 
steps  of  his  mother. 

Liberty  seemed  to  have  entirely  changed  him. 
He  was  no  longer  the  mean-looking,  slinking,  weedy  youth 
he  had  been. 

There  was  an  air  of  manliness  about  him,  and  he  held  himself 
proudly,  as  if  conscious  that  he  was  free. 
"Well,"  said  the  little  coxswain,  "things  are  looking  up." 
"Rather,"  replied  Harvey. 

"I  thought  all  was  over,  and  that  we  were  dead  beat." 
"So  did  I,  but  you  know  the  old  saying." 
"What?" 
"It's  a  long  lane  that  has  no  turning." 

Suddenly  Emily  said — 
"Where  is  Mr.  Garden?" 

Harvey  pointed  gloomily  to  the  sombre  burden  ca.red  on 
their  crossed  guns  by  the  soldiers. 
"Is  he  ill?" 
"He  is  dead." 

"Oh,"   said   Emily,   "how   grieved   I   am!     This  is  dreadful 
Poor,  dear  fellow!     Jack  was  so  fond  of  him." 
"And  he  of  Jack."  answered  Harvey,  sorrowfully. 

The  march  was  resumed  in  silence,  and  everyone  was  occu- 
pied with  his  own  thoughts. 

.At   the   ferry-house   they   found   the   ferryman,   who   knew 
them  pretty  well  by  this  time. 


JA  CK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS    59 

He  shook  his  head  when  he  saw  Garden,  and  said  it  was 
a  bad  business. 

The  body  was  placed  in  a  room  on  the  ground  floor,  and 
covered  over  with  a  cloak. 

Emily  and  the  ladies  were  very  anxious  to  get  home. 
Harvey  wanted  to  stop  until  the  new  arrival  of  soldiers 
came  up  . 

This  Hilda  would  not  hear  of. 

"For  the  present,"  she  said,  "you  must  see  us  home.     You 
can  come  back  again,  dear." 

"Go  along,  Dick,"  exclaimed  the  coxswain.     "I'll  stop  and 
see  that  the  soldiers  do  their  work  properly." 
"Very  well,"  answered  Harvey;  "I'll  take  the  ladies  to  Naples, 
and  come  back  with  a  carriage  for  poor  Garden's  body." 
"Don't  forget  to  send  Garden's  telegram  to  Lord  Bertie  St. 
Glair." 

"Not  I.     It  was  his  dying  request." 
"Call  on  the  general,  and  let  him  know  all." 
"Never  fear." 

"I    should   think,"   continued   Walter,"   that   after  this  the 
Contessa  di  Malafedi  ought  to  be  arrested." 
"Rather." 

"I  never  liked  that  woman,"  remarked  Emily. 
"Nor  I,"  said  Hilda. 

"It  is  clear  now  that,  all  along,  she  was  rowing  in  with  Bar- 
boni." 

"As  the  Prince  di  Villanova,  he  was  always  at  her  house," 
replied  Emily. 

"He  got  the  best  part  of  his  information  from  her,"  con- 
tinued Harvey.     "And  I  shall  certainly  ask  for  her  arrest." 

The  ferryman  embarked  Hilda,  Emily,  Lady  Darrel,  Luni, 
Harvey,  and  Mr.  Mole. 

Monday  remained  with  the  little  coxswain,  who  overhauled 
the  ferryman's  larder  to  see  what  there  was  for  breakfast. 

He  found  nothing  better  than  goat's  milk,  black  bread  and 
a  garlic  sausage. 

This  was  better  than  nothing,  and  being  sharp  set,  he  and 
Monday  took  the  edge  off  their  appetites. 

When  the  ferryman  returned,  he  had  in  his  boat  a  solitary 
passenger. 

This  was  a  young  man,  well  dressed,  with  a  sharp,  quick 
eye,  and  an  intelligent  face. 


60        JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

He  wore  no  side  whiskers,  but  had  a  short  beard  and 
moustache,  in  the  American  fashion. 

Springing  out  of  the  boat,  he  approached  Walter. 

"  Say  now,"  he  exclaimed,  "  you're  a  Britisher  ? " 

"  I  hope  so,"  replied  Walter. 

"You've  been  brigand-hunting?" 

"  Yes." 

"  I  guess,  from  what  I  hear,  it's  turned  out  a  bad  egg?  " 

"We  can't  always  be  successful,"  said  Walter,  in  a  tone  of 
annoyance. 

"I  reckon  that's  true  for  you,  but  don't  rile  up.  I'm  told 
at  Naples  you've  been  kicking  and  running  and  raising  old 
Scratch  generally  for  nigh  on  four  months,  and  are  as  far 
off  your  particular  brigand  as  you  were  at  first." 

"We've  made  some  progress." 

"Well,"  said  the  new-comer,  "  my  name's  Sam  Alabaster. 
I'm  reckoned  smart  where  I  come  from,  and  they  call  me 
Clear-the-Track  Sam  in  the  States." 

"  Glad  to  make  your  acquaintance,"  said  Walter. 

"  No,  you  ain't.  Don't  be  too  civil,  or  you'll  bust.  You 
don't  know  what  to  make  of  me,  but  if  you'll  let  me  be  in 
this  hunt,  I'll  make  matters  as  clear  as  a  pipe-stem." 

"  Thank  you,"  replied  Walter ;  "  your  countrymen  are  very 
brave." 

"  Don't  keep  on  with  the  butter,"  exclaimed  Clear-the- 
Track  Sam  ;  "  it  takes  me  right  off  the  handle." 

Walter  bit  his  lip. 

Suddenly  the  American  exclaimed — 

"  What  have  you  got  there  ?  " 

He  pointed  to  Monday. 

"  Why,  it's  a  kinky-headed  nigger.  I  can  see  that  as  easy 
as  snuff ;  and  it  tickles  me  all  into  a  heap  to  see  a  nigger  so 
far  away  from  hum,"  he  added. 

Walter  explained  that  Monday  was  Harkaway's  servant, 
and  enlightened  his  new  friend  as  to  the  position  of 
affairs. 

Clear-the-Track  Sam  handed  him  a  flask. 

"  That's  old  rye,"  he  said,  "  and  the  best  liquor  you  ever 
drank.  If  it  don't  make  your  hair  curl  and  your  trousers 
turn  up  over  your  boots,  guess  you  ain't  no  judge.  Say 
now,  don't  you  feel  as  good  as  new  ?  " 

The  little  coxswain  thanked  him  as  he  gave  back  the  flask, 
*nd  pronounced  the  old  rye  whisky  very  excellent. 


JACK  HARK  A  \VA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.         6 1 

The  American  went  on  to  tell  him  that  he  was  travelling 
in  Europe. 

He  had  been  twenty-four  hours  in  Naples,  and  hearing 
that  four  Britishers  were  after  the  brigands,  he  had  resolved 
to  come  and  help  them  all  he  could. 

Walter  was  glad  of  his  assistance  and  of  his  company. 

There  was  a  fund  of  cheerfulness  and  a  merry  way  of 
talking  about  Clear-the-Track  Sam  that  was  agreeable. 

Garden's  death  had  made  Walter  Campbell  feel  very  low- 
spirited. 

"  Come,  we're  friends,  I  guess,"  exclaimed  the  American  • 
"  so  you  need  not  look  as  cross  as  a  cross-cut  saw.  Take  a 
drop  more  old  rye." 

"  You  forget  that  my  friend  Garden  lies  dead  in  there," 
answered  Walter. 

"  That's  true.  Hullo!  what's  that?  I'll  swear  I  saw  brig- 
ands in  the  bush." 

Walter  looked  round,  but  could  see  nothing. 

Monday  had  disappeared. 

The  few  Italian  soldiers  who  had  escaped  the  massacre 
were  all  asleep,  with  the  exception  of  one  sentinel. 

They  were  tired  out  with  long  marches  and  fatigue. 

"  Keep  quiet  a  little  while  and  you'll  hear  music,"  con- 
tinued Clear-the-Track  Sam. 

"  What  is  it  ?  " 

"  The  brigands  are  sloshin'  about  somewhere." 

Drawing  a  revolver,  he  crept  carefully  down  a  small  hill 
to  where  a  public  road  ran  along  through  two  vine-clad 
walls. 

All  at  once  shots  were  heard  ;  fierce  cries  and  oaths  rose 
on  the  morning  air. 

Then  all  was  still. 

Walter  dashed  forward  to  take  part  in  the  affray.  But  ha 
was  too  late. 

He  met  Sam  Alabaster  coming  back  with  a  smoking 
revolver. 

"  Guess  I  made  the  five  fly,"  he  cried. 

"  What's  the  game  ? "  asked  Walter. 

"They're  nimble,"  answered  Sam.  "There's  a  carriage 
Upset  in  the  road,  and  someone's  been  taken  out." 

"  They've  captured  a  traveller,  then." 

"  That's  so.  I  saw  the  varmints  for  a  minute,  and  then 
they  skedaddled  quick." 


62        JACK  HARKA  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

"  With  the  prisoner  ? " 

"  I  calculate  yes.  They  were  gone  in  a  twinkling  through 
some  hole,"  said  Clear-the-Track  Sam.  "  In  fact,  they're 
like  Paddy's  flea — when  you  get  where  they  are  they  ain't 
there." 

"  I  wish  we  could  have  saved  the  poor  traveller,  blow 
me  tight  if  .1  don't,"  cried  the  little  coxswain,  in  a  tone  of 
vexation. 

"  I  did  what  was  in  me,"  answered  Sam  ;  "  but  you  can't 
build  a  stone  wall  out  of  clam-shells." 

Walter  went  on  the  road,  and  looking  down  saw  two  horses 
lying  dead,  a  carriage  brought  to  a  standstill,  a  coachman 
dead,  and  three  brigands  stretched  out  in  the  dust. 

"  One  of  them's  mine.  I  dropped  him  beautiful,"  remarked 
Clear-the-Track  Sam  ;  "  and  I  was  just  going  to  spit  on  my 
hands  and  take  a  new  hold,  when  they  vamoosed  wonderful.'' 

As  he  spoke,  a  party  of  brigands  appeared  on  a  grassy 
knoll  to  the  right. 

They  were  dragging  someone  between  them.  Possibly 
this  was  the  traveller  they  had  taken  from  the  carriage. 

Clear-the-Track  Sam  unslung  his  rifle  from  his  belt. 

"  Bet  you  a  new  hat,"  said  he,  "  I  drop  one  of  the  pesky 
beggars. " 

"  Done.     They're  too  far  off,"  replied  Walter. 

The  American  knelt  down,  took  a  steady  aim  and  fired. 

The  hindmost  brigand  fell. 

"  Guess  you've  lost,"  said  he,  in  a  tone  of  triumph. 

"  Bet  you  a  hat  you  don't  do  it  again,"  cried  Walter. 

A  second  time  Sam  fired. 

He  was  unsuccessful,  as  the  brigands  had  hastened  their 
movements,  and  were  out  of  range. 

"  I've  got  the  best  of  that,  though,"  said  he. 

"  How  so  ? " 

"  I  won  a  new  hat  from  you,  and  as  you  bet  me  only  a  hat 
the  second  time,  I'll  give  you  an  old  one,  when  we  get  back 
to  Naples." 

Walter  laughed. 

"  Guess  I'm  some  'cute,  eh  ? "  asked  Sam,  with  a  wink. 

They  returned  slowly  to  the  ferry,  and  lighted  their  pipes. 

If  they  had  been  stronger  in  numbers,  they  would  have 
attempted  to  rescue  the  unhappy  traveller. 

As  it  was,  they  would  only  have  been  throwing  their  lives 
away. 


JACK  RARKAWA^  AMONb  THE  BRIGANDS.         63 

"  Ain't  it  hot  just  ?  "  said  Sam,  mopping  his  face.  "  I'm 
is  red  as  a  beet.  Guess  I  shouldn't  care  about  cutting  up 
|im  Crow  capers  in  this  sun." 

An  hour  passed  before  Monday  returned. 

"  Wai,  old  hoss,  what's  your  report  ?  "  asked  Sam. 

"  Urn  been  after  um  brigands,  sare,"  replied  Monday. 

"  What  good  have  you  done  ?  " 

"  Um  not  able  do  much,  sare." 

"  Of  course  you  weren't,"  said  Clear-the-Track  Sam,  who 
had  a  great  contempt  for  the  black  race. 

"  Monday's  a  cool  hand,  and  a  clever  fellow,"  observed 
the  little  coxswain. 

"  Bosh  !  "  said  Sam.  "  You  can't  make  a  white  man  out 
of  a  nigger,  any  more  than  you  can  breed  a  lion  from  a 
polecat." 

"Nobody  wants  to." 

"  It's  against  nature,"  continued  Sam.  "Can  you  pyt^ 
peach  out  of  a  crab-apple  ?  " 

"  No." 

"  Nor  a  pumpkin  out  of  a  water-melon  ? " 

"  Not  much." 

"Or  eagles  out  of  ducks'  eggs — or  chickens  from  ant 
eggs — or  goslin's  from  gooseberrie?  'f  I  tell  you,  niggers 
ain't  of  no  account." 

"  Let's  hear  what  Monday  has  to  say  for  himself." 

The  black  gave  the  American  a  savage  look,  as  if  he 
would  like  to  try  the  sharpness  of  his  knife  on  him. 

"  Me  follow  um  brigands,  sare,"  he  said,  "  and  see  them 
take  um  gentleman  into  um  cave." 

"  Was  he  an  Englishman  ?  " 

"  Yes,  sare  ;  um  know  him  well,  and  have  good  reason  to 
remember  um." 

"  Who  is  this  English  gentleman  ? "  asked  Campbell. 

"  It  Oxford  gentleman,  sare — friend  of  Mast'  Jack,  but  no 
friend  of  Monday,  cos  he  once  try  to  take  away  um  wife." 

•'  What  is  his  name  ?  " 

"  Sir  Sydney  Dawson,  sare." 

•'  By  Jove  !  I've  heard  Hark^**ay  talk  of  him.  Didn't  you 
try  to  rescue  him  ?  " 

"  Not  me,  sare,"  replied  Monday,  angrily,  "  me  glad  they 
take  and  kill  him." 

"  That's  wrong.  You  should  not  be  so  revengeful."  °»aid 
The  little  coxsvain. 


64       JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

"What  did  I  tell  you?"  exclaimed  Sam,  triumphantly. 
"  Ain't  all  niggers  swine  ?  Can  you  humanise  them  ?  No, 
Sr;rree." 

"  I  wish  the  soldiers  would  come  up ;  we'd  make  a  dash  on 
the  cave,"  said  Walter,  anxiously. 

"  boldiers  are  all  very  well ;  but  don't  talk  to  me  of  the 
black  trash.  You  show  rr.c  a  decent  nigger,  and  I'll  make  a 
whistle  out  of  a  pig's  tail." 

Monday  gave  the  American  another  evil  look,  and  went 
away. 

It  was  getting  on  towards  evening  when  Harvey  arrived 
with  a  strong  detachment  of  soldiers. 

General  Cvaldini  himself  accompanied  the  troops. 

Everyone  was  filled  with  indignation  at  the  fresh  outrage 
committed  by  the  brigands. 

A  piece  of  cannon  was  brought  up  from  Naples,  and  prep- 
arations for  a  most  serious  attack  on  the  cave  were  visible 
on  all  sides. 

Garden's  body  was  sent  back  to  Napr'es. 

The  troops  then  moved  forward. 

Monday  again  acted  as  guide,  and  this  time  the  advance 
was  made  with  great  caution. 

The  little  coxswain  was  in  high  glee. 

"  We'll  show  the  cowardly  brutes  what  we  can  do,"  he  said. 

"  It's  like  taking  a  nest  of  snakes,"  remarked  Clear-the- 
Track  Sam,  swinging  his  long  arms  and  legs  about  as  he 
climbed  up  the  hills  and  over  the  furze. 

General  Cialdini  declared  that  he  would  hang  every  brig- 
and he  caught  to  the  first  tree. 

Walter  did  not  altogether  approve  of  this. 

"  I  think  they  ought  fo  be  tried  first,"  he  said. 

"That  brings  up  a  great  moral  question — as  the  nigger 
said  when  he  was  stealing  chickens — and  we  haven't  got 
time  to  discuss  it  now,"  replied  Sam. 

The  cave  was  reached  just  as  the  moon  rose,  and  its  silvery 
rays  made  the  advance  less  dangerous. 

Drawing  up  the  cannon,  it  was  fired  twice  in  the  direction 
of  the  mitrailleuses. 

These  were  knocked  to  pieces. 

"  Now,  my  lads,"  said  the  general,  "  charge  and  show  the 
racals  what  you  can  do  !  " 

The  soldiers  uttered  a  hearty  cheer,  and  rushed  at  the 
cave  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet. 


JACK  HARKA  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.         65 

To  their  astonishment,  there  was  no  one  to  oppose  their 
progress. 

They  entered  the  cave,  and  swarmed  all  over  it. 

Not  a  soul  did  they  see. 

"  Sold  again  !  "  said  Walter. 

''The  varmints  have  sloped  !"  said  Sam. 

General  Cialdini  was  most  profoundly  vexed. 

Barboni  had  evacuated  tht  cave. 

The  brigands  could  not  have  been  long  gone,  as  their 
lamps  were  still  burning  and  the  embers  of  a  fire  smouldered 
in  a  corner. 

All  at  once  Harvey's  attention  was  attracted  by  a  groan. 

He  looked  under  a  piece  of  matting,  and  started  back  in 
horror. 

An  Englishman  was  lying  on  his  back  on  the  floor. 

He  had  been  stabbed  in  a  dozen  places. 

A  pool  of  blood  had  stained  the  rocky  floor. 

Butwh  at  most  excited  Harvey's  horror  and  indignation 
was  the  fact  that  the  captive's  hand  had  been  cut  off  and 
forced  into  his  mouth. 

Instantly  Harvey  drew  out  the  mutilated  member. 

"  Are  you  dead  ?  Speak,  if  you  have  any  life  left  in  you,*' 
he  said. 

An  almost  inaudible  sound  came  from  the  lips  of  the 
man. 

Bending  down,  Harvey  put  his  ear  to  his  blood-stained 
mouth. 

"  Name,  Sir  Sidney  Dawson,  Oxford  ;  murdered  by  brig- 
ands. Just  gone." 

This  was  what  he  heard. 

"  Take  care,"  continued  the  sufferer.  "  Heard  say  slow 
match — blow  up  cave — kill  soldiers." 

Seizing  the  dying  man  in  his  arms,  Harvey  ran  to  the 
entrance. 

"Take  care  ! "  he  shouted  in  Italian  ;  "  the  brigands  have 
mined  the  cave.  Beware  of  an  explosion  ! " 

This  warning  sent  them  flying. 

The  soldiers  rushed  helter-skelter  from  the  cave,  and 
gained  the  open  air. 

Harvey  sought  a  place  of  safety,  and  laid  down  Sir  Syd- 
ney Dawson. 

He  placed  his  hand  on  his  heart. 

There  was  no  movement. 
5 


66        JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

His  soul  had  fled,  but  ere  he  died  he  had  been  able  to  save 
the  others  from  a  terrible  catastrophe. 

It  was  a  melancholy  sight  to  behold  the  elegant  dandy  of 
Oxford. 

The  refined  and  fastidious  Sir  Sydney  Dawson. 

Exquisite  of  the  High  Street,  and  breaker  of  ladies' hearts 
in  every  capital  in  Europe. 

He  was  carefully  dressed,  and  there  was  a  lavender  glove 
on  the  remaining  hand. 

Alas,  for  human  vanity  1 

Poor  Sir  Sydney ! 

His  had  been  a  short  life  and  a  merry  one. 

While  these  thoughts  were  running  through  the  little  cox- 
swain's mind,  a  fearful  noise  was  heard. 

The  brigands  had  set  a  time-fuse. 

Barboni  himself  had  attached  it  to  the  magazine  before 
he  left. 

His  spies  had  warned  him  of  the  approach  of  the  soldiers. 

He  hoped  to  blow  them  all  up  in  the  air. 

A  flash  of  lurid  flame  was  followed  by  an  awful  roar  and 
a  tremendous  upheaving  of  the  solid  rock. 

Never  would  the  bandits'  cave  disclose  the  secrets  of  their 
former  inmates. 

The  rock  was  torn  and  rent,  and  it  fell  back  a  mass  of 
picturesque  but  shapeless  ruins. 

It  was  magnificent,  almost  sublime. 

"Thank  God  for  this  escape,"  arose  involuntarily  to 
many  a  lip. 

"That's  what  I  call  a  tall  blow-up/'  said  Clear-the-Track 
Sam. 

The  general  bivouacked  his  men  until  the  morning,  and 
each  one  camped  as  well  as  he  could. 

Next  day  an  exploration  of  the  ruins  was  made. 

No  trace  of  the  brigands  could  be  found. 

The  castle  was  visited. 

Here,  there  only  reigned  a  dead  silence. 

Not  even  a  servant  was  left  in  Castel  Inferno, 

Barboni  had  utterly  and  completely  cleared  out  Whert 
he  had  gone  was  a  matter  of  conjecture. 

Seeing  that  the  game  was  up,  it  was  supposed  he  had 
retreated  to  the  mountains. 

His  disguise  as  Prince  di  Villanova  was  known. 

There  was  no  safety  for  him  and  his  men  except  in  flight 


JA  CK  HARKA  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIG  A  NDS.         6  / 

Whether  he  had  killed  Harkaway  or  taken  him  with  him, 
it  was  impossible  to  say. 

Foiled  again,  the  whole  party  of  pursuers  had  to  return  to 
Naples. 

Monday  alone  remained. 

He  expressed  his  determination  of  hunting  about  till  he 
found  his  master. 

The  faithful  black  would  not  give  up  the  chase. 

In  Naples  the  opinion  was  that  Barboni  had  received  a 
severe  check. 

The  Contessa  di  Malafedi  was  thrown  into  prison  to  await 
her  trial  as  an  accomplice  of  the  brigands. 

Lady  Barrel  and  Luni  were  received  and  cared  for  by 
Emily  and  Hilda. 

Clear-the-Track  Sam  was  a  constant  visitor  at  Harvey's. 

The  Englishmen  were  only  waiting  for  an  opportunity  for 
recommencing  operations. 

Until  they  received  some  news  of  Barboni's  whereabouts, 
however,  they  could  do  nothing. 

Troops  took  possession  of  Castel  Inferno  and  made  it  a 
strong  garrison. 

Exploring  parlies  went  out  every  day. 

But  weeks  glided  by,  and  no  news  came  of  Barboni. 

Emily  hugged  her  grief  to  her  sorrowing  heart,  and  prayed 
to  Heaven  for  Jack  to  be  restored  to  her. 

It  was  a  sore  trial. 

But  she  bore  it  bravely,  like  the  courageous  girl  she  was. 

Harvey  fretted  and  fumed. 

The  little  coxswain  used  bad  language,  and  cleaned  his 
pistols. 

Mr.  Mole  declared  that  if  he  could  only  see  Barboni,  he 
would  eat  him. 

"If  you  did,"  replied  Sam  Alabaster,  "I  guess  he'd  dis- 
agree with  you,  and  you'd  look  kinder  blue  about  the  gills, 
and  something  like  own  brother  to  a  frozen  turnip." 

"  My  young  and  impulsive  friend,"  answered  Mr.  Mole, 
with  a  smile  of  mild  reproof,  "you  don't  know  me." 

"Yes,  I  do,"  said  Sam;  "you're  one  of  those  confounded 
Britishers,  who  think  they  can  do  anything." 

This  roused  Mr.  Mole's  ire. 

4<  Why,  you  thin,  ill-made  whipper-snapper,"  he  answered, 
"if  I  thought  you  meant  what  you  said,  I'd  wipe  out  tfai» 
insult." 


68        SAT*  HARKAWAY  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

"Don't  get  calling  names.     If  I'm  thin,  what  are  you?' 

"Look  at  the  troubles  I've  gone  through,"  said  Mole, 
pathetic-illy. 

"  What's  that  to  do  with  your  looks :  You  can't  afford  to 
die.  You're  one  of  those  walking,  poverty-stricken  skeletons 
who  go.  about  to  save  the  expense  of  a  funeral." 

Mr.  Mole  turned  haughtily  on  his  heel,  and  went  away. 

He  ivas  no  match  for  the  American. 

Tom  Garden  and  Sir  Sydney  Dawson  were  buried  on  the 
same  day  in  the  Protestant  cemetery. 

All  the  English  in  Naples  and  several  Italians  followed 
these  two  victims  of  the  brigands. 

Then  the  thoughts  of  our  little  party  turned  to  Monday. 

When  would  he  return  ? 

What  news  would  he  bring  with  him  ? 

"  If  he  doesn't  come  back  soon,"  said  Walter,  "  I  shall 
start  out  after  him." 

"  And  I  too,"  replied  Harvey.  "  I  can't  stand  being  her? 
idle." 

Still  the  days  passed  by  and  no  news  came. 

Suspense  seemed  more  unendurable  than  the  exciting  events 
that  had  lately  taken  place. 


CHAPTER  LI. 

DEATH  OF  THE  WITCK 

Monday  resolved  to  stop  and  spy  about  in  search 
of  his  beloved  master,  he  was  rather  puzzled  where  to  go. 

He  wandered  about  in  his  wild  state. 

His  clothes  were  again  discarded  and  hidden. 

Once  more  he  was  a  savage. 

On  the  evening  of  the  day  the  troops  returned  to  Naples, 
he  was  lurking  about  the  ferry. 

It  was  his  opinion  that  the  ferryman  was  in  the  pay  of 
Barboni. 

The  Prince  of  Villanova,  if  he  was  the  chief,  had  always 
crossed  over  in  the  ferry-boat. 

So  it  was  not  a  bad  idea  of  the  black's  to  hang  about  ia 
that  neighbourhood. 

Nor  did  he  go  unrewarded  for  his  pains. 


JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.         69 

He  saw  a  little  man  come  up  and  talk  to  Andrea,  whick 
was  the  ferryman's  name. 

"  Is  all  safe  ?  "  asked  Andrea. 

"  Safe  as  we  can  make  it,"  was  the  reply, 

"  Ha  ! "  muttered  Monday,  "  that  um  Bigamy  chap." 

He  was  right. 

The  speaker  was  Bigamini,  prince  of  spies. 

"  Where  goest  thou  ?  "  asked  Andrea. 

"  I  shall  be  heard  of  at  the  sybil's  cave  for  some  time  to 
come.  That's  my  headquarters.  Come,  ferry  me  over." 

Bigamini  jumped  into  the  boat  and  Monday  heard  no  more- 
He  could  not  make  much  out  of  the  conversation. 

But  he  determined  to  watch  Bigamini. 

It  was  better  than  doing  nothing. 

Swimming  leisurely  across  the  river,  he  walked  towards 
the  cave. 

Bigamini  arrived  some  time  before  him. 

The  witch  was  sitting  before  a  fire,  over  which,  on  a  tripod, 
hung  a  saucepan,  in  which  some  mess  of  food  was  cooking. 

The  snakes  were  gliding  about  as  usual. 

The  wolf  sat  on  its  haunches,  and  sniffed  at  the  savoury 
stew,  of  which  he  expected  to  get  his  share. 

Looking  up  as  Bigamini  entered,  the  old  woman  uttered  a 
grunt  of  recognition. 

"  Good-evening,  mother,"  said  Bigamini. 

"Get  thee  gone  ?  "  replied  the  witch,  angrily. 

"  What  for  ? " 

"  The  stars  warn  me  of  evil  through  thee." 

"  Perhaps  the  stars  tell  lies,  perhaps  they  don't,"  answered 
Bigamini. 

"  Who  sent  you  here  ?  " 

"The  master." 

"  For  what  purpose  ?  "  querie^  ^Ae  sybil. 

"  I've  got  to  keep  watch  here.  Things  have  gon£  badly 
with  us." 

"  Ha  !  is  it  so  ?  I  warned  him  to  be  careful.  Whett  Mars 
Is  in  conjunction  with  Mercury,  and  Sirius  hides  his  face, 
there  is  danger  in  the  air." 

She  rocked  herself  to  and  fro  for  some  time. 

Suddenly  she  raised  her  head,  and  her  sharp,  ferrety  «ves 
sought  his  face. 

"What  has  happened?"  she  demanded. 

"  The  cave  is  discovered,  the  prisoners  have  escaped,  a.   5 


f  6        JACK  HARKA  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

everyone  knows  that  Villanova  and  Barboni  are  one  and  the 
same  person." 

"  That  is  bad — very  bad." 

"  We  have  blown  up  the  cave,  deserted  the  castle,  and 
taken  to  the  mountains." 

"Bad — bad,''  murmured  the  witch,  shaking  her  head 
gravely. 

"  You  cursed  old  croaker,"  said  Bigamini,  "  are  you  going 
to  keep  me  here  without  offering  me  any  thing  to  eat  and 
drink  ? " 

"  I  have  nothing." 

"What's  in  the  pot?"  he  said,  lifting  the  lid,  and  adding 
with  an  appreciative  sniff—"  stewed  kid,  I'll  swear;  that's 
good  enough  for  me.' 

"  You're  no  welcome  guest  here,"  said  the  witch. 

"  The  master  sent  roe  here,  so  make  no  bones  over  it. 
I'm  a  fixture.  Get  out  some  brandy,  and  then  I'll  have  a 
dish  of  that  goat  stew." 

With  a  groan  of  discontent,  the  sybil  obeyed  him. 

She  went  to  a  locker  in  the  rock,  and  drew  out  a  bottle. 

Bigamini  fancied  that  he  saw,  by  the  glare  of  the  lamp, 
aided  by  the  flickering  of  the  fire,  a  quantity  of  gold  coins. 

"  Got  money,  has  she  ?  "  he  murmured,  while  an  evil  look 
took  possession  of  his  face. 

His  hand  involuntarily  sought  his  belt,  as  if  he  wished  to 
assure  himself  that  his  knife  was  there. 

"  Tell  me  the  news  again,"  said  the  witch,  as  she  gave 
him  the  spirit,  which  he  drank  raw. 

"You  deaf  old  beetle,"  replied  Bigamini,  "can't  you 
hear  ? " 

"  Not  so  well  as  I  used." 

"  The  woman  they  call  II  Spirito,  and  the  young  man  Luni, 
have  escaped." 

"Yes." 

"  The  cave's  blown  up,  and  the  castle  deserted." 

"  Well  ? " 

"  Barboni  has  gone  to  the  hills  with  his  men." 

"  Bad,  bad — all  bad,"  sighed  the  old  woman. 

"  You  seem  to  take  a  deal  of  interest  in  the  chief,"  said 
Bigamini,  curiously. 

"  I  have  good  reason." 

"  Why  ?  " 

"  Because  I  am  his  mother,"  was  the  reply. 


JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.         7 1 

"  Well,  may  I  be  a  happy  Smiffins  !  "  said  Bigamini,  draw- 
ing a  long  breath. 

"  Yes,  he  is  my  son,  and  I  love  him  dearly,  though,  santis- 
sima  Vtrgine !  he  has  never  treated  me  too  well." 

"  Why  should  he,  you  croaking  old  hag  ? "  asked  Big- 
iamni. 

He  helped  himself  to  some  more  brandy. 

"I  did  not  make  him  what  he  is,"  said  the  witch. 

"  He's  a  brigand — I'm  a  brigand — we're  all  brigands,  and 
where  are  they  who  wouldn't  be,  that's  what  I  want  to  know  ? " 
cried  Bigamini. 

"  Ah,  it's  a  bad  life.  You're  all  common  thieves,  though 
I  once  thought  I  should  never  have  to  call  my  son  that," 
replied  the  old  woman. 

"  You  must  be  a  duffer  if  you  abuse  your  own  flesh  and 
blood,"  exclaimed  Bigamini. 

"  I  speak  the  truth.  He  was  well  brought  up.  We  had 
a  good  position  once  in  Verona." 

"  Pity  you  didn't  keep  it." 

"  Dominico  broke  his  father's  heart,  and  robbing  me, 
reduced  me  to  beggary." 

"  But  he's  given  you  a  lot  since,  I  daresay,"  said  Biga- 
mini, with  an  eager  glance. 

'Yes;  I  can't  complain." 

'  What  did  he  give  you  ?     Gold  ?  " 

'  Yes." 

'  And  precious  stones  ? " 

'  Yes." 

'  Have  you  got  them  now  ?" 

The  little  man's  eyes  glistened  dangerously  as  he  asked 
the  question. 

"  That's  no  business  of  yours,"  replied  the  witch. 

She  lifted  the  lid  of  the  pot  and  stirred  up  the  mess  with 
a  wooden  spoon. 

"  Come  along,  mother,"  said  Bigamini,  in  his  best  Italian, 
"  give  us  some  of  that  grub." 

"  Don't  interrupt  me,"  answered  the  witch,  extending  her 
skinny  hands  over  the  caldron. 

"  I'm  hungry." 

"  None  of  this  will  you  have." 

"  Why  ? " 

"  I'm  working  my  spells." 

"  Bother  your  spells,  you  old  fool,"  said  Bigamini. 


*2        JACK  HARKAWA  Y  AMONG  THE  PRIGANDS. 

The  sybil  rose,  and  seizing  one  of  the  snaLes  by  the  neck, 
ifcrew  it  into  the  pot. 

"  By  this  sign  and  by  this  token, 
Never  shall  my  spell  be  broken." 

she  sang  in  a  weird  voice. 

"  I  say,  don't,"  exclaimed  Bigamini ;  "  I  can't  stomach 
snakes." 

"  Silence ! " 

"  I  won't  be  silent.  Is  that  what  you  usually  make  you* 
stews  of  ?  If  so,  I  won't  dine  with  you  often  if  I  can  help 
it" 

"  Let  owlets  flutter  and  bats  fly, 
My  Barboni  shall  not  die," 

continued  the  witch. 

The  wolf  bared  his  gums  and  opened  his  jaws  as  if  he 
saw  mischief  was  brewing  and  was  ready  to  take  his  own  part. 

"  What's  up,  mother  ? "  said  Bigamini. 

She  made  him  no  answer. 

"  Have  you  gone  off  your  chump  ?  "  he  added,  in  English. 

She  threw  another  snake  into  the  caldron,  and  the 
wretched  thing  writhed  and  twisted. 

Its  head  protruded  over  the  edge,  and  she  beat  it  back 
with  the  spoon. 

Again  the  witch  sang — 

"  He  may  suffer  much  and  long, 
May  be  weak  instead  of  strong ; 
But  by  the  stars  that  light  the  sky, 
My  Barboni  shall  not  die." 

'That's  more  than  you  know,"  said  Bigamini. 

'*  Hush  !  "  she  answered  -,  "  it  is  the  voice  of  fate." 

"  Voice  of  humbug.  Give  us  some  grub.  Get  out  and 
let  me  come." 

He  pushed  the  old  woman  rudely  aside,  and  peered  into 
the  seething  caldron. 

The  snakes  were  dead  now,  and  looked  like  eels  in  a  stew. 

"  What  a  jolly  old  fool  to  go  atid  spoil  a  good  supper," 
said  Bigamini,  in  a  tone  of  disgust. 

"  Stand  aside,"  cried  the  witch. 


JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.         73 

"I  shan't." 

"You'll  break  the  spell." 

"  Blow  your  spells  !  " 

She  jeized  him  by  the  arm  to  drag  him  back. 

"  Look  here,  old  gal ;  you  ain't  Sarah  Ann,  and  I  shall 
have  to  give  you  a  topper,  if  -*/ou  come  it  too  strong,"  saio, 
Bigamini. 

His  attitude  was  threatening. 

He  thought  of  the  gold  he  had  seen  in  the  cupboard  in 
•he  rock. 

it  might  be  his. 

What  did  it  matter  that  the  blear-eyed  old  crone  was  the 
mother  of  Barboni  ? 

No  one  would  see  him  commit  the  deed. 

He  could  swear  that  the  troops  had  killed  her  on  theii 
way  back  to  Naples. 

She  was  suspected  of  harbouring  brigands. 

What  more  likely  than  that  the  Italians  should  put  her  to 
death,  thinking  her  an  accomplice  of  Parboni  ? 

Unable  to  resist  the  temptation,  Bigamini  drew  his  knife, 
and  as  she  again  attempted  to  push  him  back,  he  struck 
her. 

"Oh,  Holy  Virgin  !"  she  cried,  and  sank  to  the  ground. 

Bigamini  threw  himself  upon  her,  and  buried  h.^  knife 
deep  in  her  heart. 

Once,  twice,  thrice  he  repeated  the  death-dealing  strofcc 

The  witch  uttered  some  incoherent  sounds. 

Rising  to  his  feet,  Bigamini  gazed  stolidly  at  the  corpse 

The  wolf  came  up  and  licked  his  mistress's  blood. 

"  She's  dead,"  said  Bigamini,  with  a  ghastly  smile.  "  Ni/» 
for  the  treasure." 

He  went  to  the  cupboard  in  the  rock. 

To  his  delight  he  beheld  a  goodly  pile  of  gold  coin, 
mingled  with  jewels. 

"  This  will  make  me  rich,"  he  muttered.  "  Let  it  stay 
here  for  the  present ;  and  now  to  dispose  of  the  body." 

He  did  not  see  a  pair  of  keen  eyes  looking  at  him  through 
the  entrance  to  the  cave. 

Monday  was  peering  through  the  imperfect  light,  which, 
however,  was  sufficient  to  enable  the  black  to  see  what  had 
taken  place. 

And  what  was  it  he  saw  ?     Murder  I 


1 4        JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 


CHAPTER  LII. 

A  STRANGE   BEDFELLOW. 

WHEN  Bigamini  was  satisfied  that  the  witch  was  dead,  he 
dragged  the  body  for  some  distance  into  the  interior  of  the 
cave. 

Pitching  her  down  a  hole,  he  bestowed  a  curse  upon  her 
by  way  of  funeral  sermon. 

Then  he  returned  to  the  caldron. 

The  sybil  had  spoilt  the  mess  by  throwing  the  snakes  in. 

He  couldn't  eat  snakes,  so  he  took  up  the  pot  and  emptied 
its  contents  outside  the  cave. 

Monday  prudently  retired  when  he  saw  him  coming. 

Washing  the  pot  out  at  the  spring,  Bigamini  put  some 
fresh  water  in  and  some  more  onions. 

"I'll  go  and  see  if  I  can't  steal  a  fowl  or  two,"  he  said, 
aloud,  "  at  some  farm-house.  Blessed  if  I  ain't  hungry 
enough  to  eat  a  horse." 

Stirring  up  the  fire,  and  putting  on  some  more  logs,  he 
walked  off. 

Scarcely  had  he  gone  before  Monday  walked  in. 

"  What  um  Bigamini  doing  here  ?  "  he  said  to  himself. 

The  wolf  bared  his  gums  at  the  black,  but  the  latter,  not 
being  afraid  of  him,  caught  him  by  the  neck. 

Holding  him  in  his  arms,  he  took  him  outside. 

Here  was  the  savoury  stew  that  the  snakes  had  spoilt. 

The  wolf  appreciated  this,  and  fell  to  with  an  appetite. 

Speedily  goat's  meat  and  even  snakes  disappeared  down 
his  capacious  swallow. 

When  he  had  finished  his  supper,  he  came  up,  and  rubbed 
his  head  against  Monday. 

He  seemed  to  say — 

"  You're  not  a  bad  sort,  and  I'm  much  obliged  to  you  for 
this  good  feed." 

"  Poor  wolf,  nice  wolf,"  said  Monday,  patting  him. 

Monday  had  seen  the  dead  body  of  the  witch,  and  wit- 
nessed the  carrying  away  of  it  by  Bigamini. 


JACK  tiARKA  \VA  Y  AMONG  THE  &RIGANDS.        7^ 

He  guessed  that  a  murder  had  taken  place,  though  what 
Bigamini's  object  could  be  he  was  unable  to  conjecture. 

Presently  he  would  come  back  with  the  fowls. 

An  accomplished  thief  and  ruffian  like  Bigamini  would 
not  have  much  difficulty  in  finding  a  hen-roost. 

And  w/en  he  had  found  it,  his  scruples  cf  conscience 
would  not  prevent  him  from  wringing  the  necks  of  some 
roosters. 

He  would  come  home  and  put  them  in  the  pot. 

This  would  make  a  splendid  supper. 

Monday  was  hungry,  and  he  determined  to  cut  Bigamini 
out  if  he  could. 

The  witch  had  been  accustomed  to  sleep  in  a  little  bed 
placed  in  a  hole  cut  out  of  the  rock. 

Sheets  she  disdained  as  luxuries. 

But  she  had  blankets  and  a  counterpane. 

Monday  fancied  that  Bigamini  would  sleep  in  her  bed. 

Picking  up  a  piece  of  rope,  he  called  the  wolf  to  him. 

"  Poor  wolf,  come  to  um  Monday  ;  um  good  old  wolf,"  h<6 
said. 

The  animal,  being  accustomed  to  human  society,  and 
grateful  for  the  stew,  came. 

Animals  are  some  thing  like  men. 

The  surest  road  to  their  hearts  is  through  their  stomachs. 

Seizing  the  wolf  by  the  neck  again,  the  black  tied  his  fore- 
legs together. 

Then  he  did  the  same  with  his  hind  ones. 

The  wolf  resented  this  treatment,  and  bit  his  finger. 

"  Bite  um  Monday,  you  beast,"  he  said ;  "  I  cut  um  liver 
out." 

The  wolf  seemed  to  understand  the  threat,  and,  having 
some  respect  for  his  liver,  lay  quiet  on  his  back. 

Monday  sucked  his  finger  till  the  pain  went  away. 

Then  he  lighted  a  lamp,  and  took  stock  of  the  cave. 

There  were  several  cupboards  in  the  rock. 

One  was  a  larder. 

Another  a  gold  cupboard ;  and  in  a  third  were  some  ar- 
ticies  that  women  wear. 

Monday  seized  upon  a  dress  and  a  cap,  which  he  bore  off 
in  triumph. 

The  dress  was  of  a  light-coloured  material,  and  in  it  he 
put  the  wolf. 

On  his  head  he  fastened  the  cap. 


76        JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THR  BRIGANDS. 

Taking  the  unresisting  animal  in  his  arms,  he  carried  him 
to  the  bed,  and  placed  him  in  it.  The  wolf  lay  quite  still. 

Monday  pulled  the  clothes  over  him,  and  hid  himself  up 
in  a  dark  part  of  the  cave. 

Soon  Bigamini  returned  with  four  fat  fowls. 

These  he  plucked,  cleaned,  and  cast  into  the  pot. 

Having  done  this,  he  rubbed  nis  hands  with  glee  at  the 
idea  of  the  nice  supper  he  would  have. 

jieing  rather  tired,  he  thought  he  would  have  a  little  rest. 

Looking  round,  he  saw  the  witch's  bed. 

Taking  up  the  lamp,  he  approached  it. 

"I  shall  have  a  pipe  until  the  grub's  ready,"  he  said,  "and 
I  may  as  well  rest,  for  I've  been  on  the  tramp  all  day.'1 

Setting  down  the  lamp  on  a  ledge  of  rock,  which  was 
meant  to  receive  it,  he  approached  the  bed. 

There  was  a  curious  noise  as  he  came  near. 

The  wolf  had  seen  him  kill  his  mistress,  and  he  did  n  )t 
like  Bigamini. 

"  What  on  earth's  that  ? "  gasped  Bigamini. 

He  began  to  tremble. 

Dismissing  his  fears,  he  advanced  again  and  pulled  down 
the  clothes. 

With  a  cry  of  horror  he  let  them  fall. 

The  witch  had  come  to  life  again,  or  it  was  her  ghost  in 
the  bed. 

Filled  with  superstitious  fears,  he  retreated  outside  the 
cave. 

The  wolf  uttered  snarl  after  snarl,  and  Bigamini  made 
sure  it  was  a  spirit. 

"  I'll  not  come  in  again  to-night,"  he  said  ;  '  ^  n>  sleep  in 
the  open.  No  ghosts  for  me.  I  was  a  fool  to  toi»eh  the  old 
hag.  I  might  have  known  she'd  raise  spirits." 

So  he  went  outside  and  sat  on  a  stone  smoking  his  pipe, 
and  casting  frightened  looks  at  the  mouth  of  the  cave. 

Meanwhile  the  stewing  fowls  went  on  capitally. 

The  smell  was  most  appetising. 

Monday  licked  his  lips. 

He  had  had  nothing  to  eat  all  day,  and  he  thought  he 
could  polish  off  some  of  that  poultry. 

Thinking  that  the  ghost  had  settled  Bigamini,  he  stole 
from  his  place  of  concealment. 

In  a  cupboard  he  found  a  wooden  platter  and  a  knife  and 
Sork,  as  well  as  sonvi  salt. 


JACK  hARKA  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS         77 

He  took  off  the  top  of  the  pot,  and  plunged  the  fork  *nto 
a  fowl. 

It  was  done. 

Pulling  it  out,  he  placed  it  on  the  platter  and  began  .f 
eat  it. 

In  a  surprisingly  short  time  it  was  gone. 

Monday  had  enough  of  the  savage  left  in  him  to  do  with- 
out bread. 

In  went  the  fork  a  second  time,  and  out  came  fowl  num- 
ber two. 

This  went  the  way  of  the  first. 

His  appetite  not  yet  having  lost  its  edge,  he  began  to 
tackle  a  third. 

Bigamini,  meanwhile,  was  sitting  outside  the  door,  and  he 
could  smell  the  savoury  steam  of  onions  and  stewed  fowls. 

"  It's  uncommon  good,"  he  said.  "  I'll  go  in  and  chance 
ihe  ghost." 

Entering  the  cave,  he  started  back  in  amazement. 

There  was  somebody  eating  his  supper. 

Again  he  cautiously  advanced. 

It  could  not  be  a  ghost,  because  ghosts  don't  eat. 

"  I  say,  you  fellow  there,  what  are  you  doing  ? "  he  cried. 

It  was  Monday's  turn  to  start  now. 

"  Um  Bigamini,"  he  muttered  ;  "  make  haste  now." 

He  had  just  finished  the  third  fowl,  and  he  dipped  into  the 
pot  for  the  fourth  start. 

Bigamini  sprang  forward. 

"No,  I'm  darned  if  you  do,"  he  said;  "you've  had 
enough." 

Monday  jumped  up,  holding  the  fowl  on  the  fork  in  one 
hand,  and  his  knife  in  the  other. 

"  Um  want  to  be  stuck  like  um  stuck  um  witch  ?  "  asked 
Monday,  his  eyes  gleaming. 

Bigamini  fell  back  alarmed. 

"Is  it  you,  Mr.  Monday?"  he  said.  "What  have  you 
done  with  your  togs  ? " 

"  I'm  on  the  war-path,"  replied  Monday.     "  Keep  off." 

"  How  did  you  come  here  ?  " 

"  Come  for  shelter ;  find  um  good  supper  and  eat  him," 
answered  Monday,  with  a  grin. 

Bigamini  groaned. 

"  Give  us  a  bit,"  he  said  "  I  stole  the  fowl?  and  cooked 
'em." 


7  8         JACK  HARK  A  W 'A  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

"  Urn  welcome  to  um  soup  ;  find  some  black  bread  in  um 
cupboard,  daresay,"  said  Monday. 

"  Well,  you  are  a  hog,"  said  Bigamini. 

"  What  four  fowls  to  hungry  man  ?  " 

"  What  ?     Have  you  eaten  the  lot,  and  I  sitting  outside  ?  " 

"  Um  all  gone,"  replied  Monday,  cracking  the  last  leg  be- 
tween his  powerful  teeth. 

"Well,  I'm  blowed;  I  didn't  think  it  was  in  you,  Mr. 
Monday." 

"  It  all  in  me  now,"  said  Monday,  grinning  again. 

Bigamini  gulped  down  his  annoyance. 

"  I'll  put  up  with  the  soup,"  he  said.  !<  I'm  only  a  mis- 
erable Bigamini,  and  I  suppose  soup's  good  enough  for  me/ 

"  It's  too  good." 

"Ah,  you  wouldn't  have  said  so  when  I  was  a  happy 
Smiffins ;  but  no  matter,  a  time  will  come  when  the  tveary 
shall  be  at  rest.  But  I  say,  sir — Mr.  Monday,  sir." 

"  What  um  say  ?  " 

"  Have  you  seen  any  thing  since  you've  been  here  ?  "  asked 
Bigamini,  bending  forward  anxiously  and  nervously. 

"  Yes." 

"What?" 

"  Um  see  um  ghost  in  um  bed.  You  killed  um  witch,  I 
see  that,  and  now  um  witch  come  to  haunt  um  cave." 

"  You  saw  me  ?  You  won't  split  on  me,  will  you  ? — not 
that  she  was  worth  any  thing,  but  I  shouldn't  like  it  to  come 
out." 

"Treat  me  well,  Mist'  Bigamini,  and  me  say  nothing,  no 
try  to  stab  um.  Monday  carry  um  knife.  See  1 " 

The  black  produced  his  weapon,  and  flashed  it  In  Biga- 
mini's  eyes 

Coward  as  he  was,  he  shook  all  over  with  fear. 

"  Mr.  Monday,"  he  said  humbly,  "  how  could  you  suspect 
me  of  thinking  of  such  a  thing  ?  I  respect  you  as  a  friend, 
and  honour  you  for  coming  out  on  the  war-path,  as  you  say, 
after  your  master." 

"  Eat  um  soup,"  said  Monday,  curtly. 

"  Thank  you.  I'm  only  a  miserable  Bigamini,  Mr.  Mon- 
day, and  really  this  condescension  from  one  of  your  superior 
race  is  more  than  I  can  bear." 

"  I  go  to  sleep  now  I  eat  fowls,"  said  Monday. 

"  Worthy  sir,  may  your  slumbers  be  refreshing." 

Monday  threw  himself  down  on  a  mat  in  the  shadow. 


JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.        79 

He  pretended  to  sleep. 

In  reality,  he  kept  one  eye  open,  and  his  hand  was  on  his 
knife. 

Lucky  for  him  was  it  that  he  did  so. 

Bigamini  dipped  some  black  bread  into  the  soup,  and  ate 
it,  grumbling  all  the  while. 

"  Curse  that  nigger  !  "  he  muttered  ;  "  the  brute's  done  me 
out  of  my  fowl  supper.  I'll  square  him  up  presently." 

When  he  had  to  some  extent  satisfied  his  hunger,  he  looked 
round. 

Monday  was  apparently  sleeping. 

Creeping  up  on  his  hands  and  knees,  with  a  knife  between 
his  teeth,  Bigamini  determined  to  send  him  to  join  the 
witch. 

He  was  almost  upon  him,  and  had  raised  his  hand  to  strike. 

Monday  had  been  watching  him. 

With  a  snake-like  bound,  he  threw  himself  on  the  assassin. 

His  hard,  bony  fingers  held  him  down,  and  Bigamini  was 
completely  floored. 

"  What  um  do  ?  "  cried  Monday,  angrily. 

"  Oh  !  Mr.  Monday.  Oh,  sir,"  gasped  Bigamini,  "  don't, 
please,  hold  my  throat  so  tight." 

"  What  um  come  to  do,  then  ?  " 

"I  only  wanted  to  put  something  under  your  head  for  a 
pillow,  sir." 

"  Lie,"  replied  Monday. 

"  It's  a  fact ;  on  my  soul,  it  is.  Let  me  go,  sir.  Mr. 
Monday,  you're  choking  me." 

"  It  um  good  job." 

"  I  must  appeal  to  the  well-known  humanity  and  univer- 
sally-admitted generosity  of  the  black  or  colored  race,  sir." 

"  You  try  kill  me  as  you  kill  poor  witch." 

"  No,  sir.  Not  me,  sir.  No,  sir.  Really,  Mr.  Monday, 
you  are  mistaken." 

"  Um  never  make  mistake." 

"Worthy  sir,"  continued  Bigamini,  in  a  whining  voice, 
"  spare  the  life  of  a  wretched  being.  Is  it  not  enough  that 
I  am  an  outcast  from  my  country  ? " 

"  Tell  you  what  um  do,"  said  Monday. 

"What,  sir?" 

"  Um  give  you  a  chance." 

"  Blessed  angels  wait  upon  your  footsteps  for  evermore, 
sir,"  replied  Bigamini,  gratefully. 


8o       JACK  HARKA  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

"  You  shall  sleep  in  urn  witch's  bed." 

Bigamini's  repentance  changed  again  to  despair. 

"  Holy  Moses  ! "  he  gasped. 

"  Um  not  like  that  ?  "  asked  Monday,  with  a  grin. 

"  I'd  rather  die.     There's  a  ghost  in  that  bed." 

Monday  raised  his  knife. 

"  Die,  then,"  he  said. 

The  fear  of  death  again  attacked  the  wretched  Bigamini. 

"  I'll  do  it,  sir,"  he  cried,  eagerly.  "  Don't  strike,  Mr 
Monday  ;  I'll  do  it." 

"  Come  on,  then,"  said  Monday. 

He  raised  him  up  and  led  him  to  the  bed. 

Pulling  the  clothes  down  a  little  way,  he  pushed  him  in, 
but,  at  the  same  time,  he  cut  the  cord  which  bound  the 
wolf's  fore  paws. 

The  wolf  couldn't  get  out  of  bed,  because  his  hind  legs 
were  still  tied. 

But  he  could  use  his  teeth  and  his  claws,  nevertheless. 

Bigamini  lay  still,  trembling. 

He  could  feel  something  warm  near  him. 

What  it  could  be  but  the  ghost  of  the  poor,  helpless 
woman  he  had  murdered,  he  could  not  imagine. 

Cowards  with  weak  minds  will  believe  any  thing. 

He  really  fancied  he  was  in  bed  with  a  spirit. 

"  If  um  move,  urn  get  this,  mind  that,"  cried  Monday, 
showing  his  knife. 

Bigamini  cowered  down  under  the  blankets. 

The  wolf  was  never  a  very  amiable  animal,  and  recent 
events  had  not  tended  to  improve  his  temper. 

He  began  to  use  his  claws,  and  scratched  his  bedfellow 
about  the  back. 

"  Lie  still,  granny,"  said  Bigamini,  in  a  persuasive  voice. 
"  Oh  !  you  hurt.  That's  my — oh  !  Lord,  do  be  quiet." 

The  wolf  put  down  his  nightcapped  head,  and  began  to  bite. 

"  I  say,"  roared  Bigamini ;  "  turn  it  up." 

"  What's  um  row  ?  "  asked  Monday. 

"  The  sperrit  of  the  witch  is  on  to  me." 

"It  um  fancy." 

"  No,  Mr.  Monday,  it  ain't  fancy.     Oh,  oh  ! " 

"  Tell  um  it  is." 

"  It  can't  be,  when  I'm  having  bits  taken  out  of  me.'" 

v  Lie  still,  and  hold  um  noise,"  said  Monday. 

"  I  can't.    Oh,  Lord  1 " 


JACK  HARKA  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.       Si 

3igamini  could  beai  the  torture  no  longer. 

The  wolf  was  punisning  him  severely. 

He  jumped  out  of  bed,  and  dodging  past  Monday,  rav 
out  into  the  darkness. 

"Urn  little  Bigamy  too  quick  for  me,"  said  Mcnday. 
"  Never  mind  ;  um  had  a  bad  scare.'* 

Going  to  the  bed,  he  released  the  wolf,  and  went  out  ot 
the  cave  to  look  for  the  tailor. 

Bigamini  was  walking  along  the  road,  uttering  moans  and 
rubbing  himself. 

Monday  kept  him  well  in  view. 

Nothing  would  have  induced  Bigamini  to  go  back  to  the 
cave  that  night. 

He  had  been  too  much  frightened. 

His  intention  was  to  join  an  advanced  post  of  the  brig- 
ands in  the  hills,  and  stay  with  them  a  day  or  two. 

He  meant  to  tell  Barboni  that  he  had  never  been  to  the 
cave  at  all,  because  the  soldiers  were  about  it. 

The  sybil  had  said  she  was  Barboni's  mother. 

If  the  brigand  chief  found  she  was  dead,  and  knew 
Bigamini  had  been  there,  he  would  blame  him  for  the  murder. 

But  Bigamini  intended  to  put  the  blame  of  her  disappear- 
ance on  the  soldiers. 

This  was  his  artfulness. 

If  ever  there  was  a  cunning  demon,  it  was  the  brigand's 
spy. 

He  knew  where  the  gold  was  in  the  cave,  though,  and  he 
meant  to  have  that  some  day. 

It  was  nearly  morning  before  he  reached  the  outposts  of 
the  brigands,  who  were  encamped  at  the  foot  of  the  moun- 
tains. 

He  was  thoroughly  exhausted. 

Giving  the  password,  he  was  allowed  to  enter  the  encamp- 
ment. 

Gus  Barrel  was  in  command. 

A  short  distance  higher  up  the  hills  was  another  detach- 
ment, commanded  by  Hunston. 

While  higher  again,  in  a  position  admirably  adapted  for 
defence,  was  Barboni,  with  the  bulk  of  his  followers. 

Barrel's  duty  was  to  make  raids  on  the  farms,  and  pro- 
cure food,  as  well  as  to  keep  a  good  lookout. 

When  Monday  saw  Bigamini  join  the  advanced  post  o/ 
the  brigands,  he  was  satisfied. 
6 


82       SACK  KARA  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BAIGAND*. 

"  Got  um  now,"  he  muttered. 

Incredible:  as  it  may  seem,  though  the  black  had  uad  no 
sleep  for  eighteen  hours,  and  had  been  on  the  tramp  most 
of  the  time,  he  felt  no  fatigue. 

In  fact,  he  was  as  fresh  as  paint. 

Instead  of  sleeping,  he  cut  off  across  country,  and  made 
Jus  way  back  to  Naples. 


CHAPTER  LI  1 1. 
"YOU  CAN'T  KILL  ALL  THE  LITTLE  MEN,  YOU  KNOW!  " 

WHEN  day  broke,  Monday  was  trudging  along  the  road  to 
Naples. 

In  front  of  him  he  saw  some  men  approaching. 

As  they  drew  nearer,  he  made  out  that  they  were  soldiers. 

At  their  head,  on  horseback,  were  an  Italian  Ticer  and  an 
Englishman. 

Monday  went  on  at  a  fast  pace, 

"  Halt !  "  cried  the  commanding  officer,  as  he  beheld  a 
naked  black  man  approaching. 

"  Mast'  Walter,"  said  Monday,  "  don't  fire,  sare ;  it  am 
Monday." 

The  Englishman  was  Walter  Campbell,  and  the  quick  eyes 
of  the  black  had  discovered  h;m  before  he  was  recognized 
in  his  turn. 

The  little  coxswain  rode  uj.  eagerly, 

"  Is  it  you,  Monday  ?  "  he  said. 

"Yes,  sare." 

"  Have  you  found  out  any  thing  ?  '' 

"  Found  um  brigands,  sare." 

"  That's  good  news.     How  did  you  manage  it  f  " 

"  Followed  uis.  Bigamy,  sare.  He  bad  man  ;  spy  of  um 
brigands." 

"  By  Jove !  "  said  Walter,  *'  I  always  thought  that  fellow 
was  a  bad  lot." 

"  Where  Mast'  Harvey.  Mist'  Mole,  and  that  Yanke  /nan, 
sare?" 

"  They're  on  the  look  out  somewhere/'  replied  Waiter, 
•''  But  I  have  come  out  on  special  business. 

"  What  that,  sare  ?  " 

''  You  know  Miss  Lily  Cockles." 


JACK  HARAA  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.        g; 

*v  Do  Monday  know  his  own  head,  sare  ?  " 

"  Well,  she  has  disappeared  and  left  a  note  saying  she  is 
going  to  marry  the  Prince  di  Villanova  in  the  Castel  Inferno 
to-day." 

"  The  prince  is  Barboni,  sare,"  exclaimed  Monday. 

"  Of  course.     We  know  that  now." 

"  What  urn  do  ?  " 

"  I  don't  mind  telling  you  I  love  Miss  Lily,  and  I  mean 
to  stop  this  business  if  I  can." 

"  Quite  right,  sare.  Monday  in  love  once.  Sir  Sydney 
Dawson — him  dead  now — try  take  her  'way.  Monday  stop 
that." 

"  Are  your  brigands  far  off  ?  "  asked  the  little  coxswain, 
thoughtfully. 

"  Not  so  very  far,  sare." 

"  I've  a  good  mind  to  have  a  cut  in  at  them  as  I  go  by  on 
my  way  to  the  castle." 

"  That  not  urn  bad  idea,"  said  Monday,  approvingly. 

"  I  can't  make  out  why  Miss  Lily  Cockles  should  be  so 
foolish  ;  but  this  brigand  thief  has  established  an  influencr 
over  her  somehow." 

"  Who  you  think  command  the  brigands  where  I  see  Big- 
aray  go,  sare  ?  " 

"Can't  guess." 

"  Lord  Barrel,  sare.     Me  see  him." 

''Why,  he's  the  man  who  killed  Lily  Cockles'  brother/'" 

"That  him,  sare." 

"  He's  the  brigand's  son  really.  He's  Barboni's  own  son, 
you  know."  answered  Walter ;  "  we've  heard  that  from  Lady 
barrel  and  the  poor  boy  they  called  Luni." 

"  We  go  and  settle  him,  sare,"  replied  Monday. 

"  But  you  look  tired,"  replied  the  little  coxswain. 

*'  Monday  got  pluck,  sare.  Much  to  be  done  yet ;  Mast1 
Jack  not  ftee  ;  Barboni  alive." 

"Come  along  then.  Lead  me  to  the  brigands.  A  brush 
with  the  scoundrels  will  give  me  an  appetite  for  breakfast," 
answeted  Walter. 

Monday  accordingly  turned  round. 

The  little  coxswain  spoke  to  the  officer  in  command,  and 
the  whole  party  followed  the  black,  who  led  them  straight  to 
the  first  encampment  of  the  brigands. 

Scouts  were  thrown  out  by  the  latter,  and  they,  following 
their  orders,  retired  without  firing  a  shot. 


84        JACK  HARKA  WA  j»  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

Darrel  saw  the  enemy  coming  and  would  have  retreated. 

But  Monday  led  the  handful  of  Bersaglieri  up  to  the  spot 
frhere  they  were  encamped,  and  they  came  with  a  rush. 

The  conflict  was  fierce. 

Brigands  and  soldiers  were  pretty  nearly  equal  in  num- 
bers. 

The  little  coxswain  singled  out  Darrel. 

"  Hi !  you,  sir — you  fellow  who  call  yourself  Lord  Darrel," 
he  exclaimed,  "  come  and  have  a  tussle  with  me." 

Darrel  came  forward  with  a  pistol. 

He  fired  it  point  blank  at  Walter  Campbell,  but  fortunately 
for  him  it  missed  fire. 

The  little  coxswain  rushed  at  him. 

They  were  separated  from  the  rest  of  the  combatants^ 
owing  to  the  brigands  being  driven  up  the  hill  by  the 
soldiers. 

As  a  rule  brigands  don't  fight  well  when  there  is  no  plunder 
in  view. 

Barboni  was  not  with  them  to  animate  them  by  his  pres- 
ence. 

They  had  been  surprised,  which  was  another  thing  against 
them. 

Seeing  himself  cut  off  from  his  men,  Gus  Darrel  fought  as 
Hard  as  he  could. 

He  drew  his  sword  and  lunged  at  his  opponent,  who  was 
only  armed  with  a  pistol  and  a  dagger. 

The  pistol  did  him  good  service,  however. 

His  first  shot  broke  Darrel's  sword  arm. 

The  weapon  fell  from  his  hand. 

On  dashed  the  little  coxswain  with  his  dagger  and  plunged 
it  into  his  breast. 

"  You  killed  Lieutenant  Cockles,"  he  said. 

"  And  I'd  kill  you  if  I  could,"  replied  Darrel,  sinking 
back. 

"I  dare  say  you  would,"  answered  the  little  coxswain^ 
dealing  him  another  blow.  "  But  you  can't  kill  all  the  little 
men,  you  know." 

Darrel  sank  back  with  a  groan. 

;Tm  not  very  big,"  continued  Walter.  "Still,  I've  been 
big  enough  to  settle  you." 

"  Let  me  die  in  peace,"  said  Darrel. 

"  Oh,  I'll  help  you,  if  that's  all,"  answered  -Walter,  who 
gave  him  another  stab  in  the  region  of  the  heart. 


JACK  HARKA  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.        85 

Suddenly  Monday's  voice  was  heard. 

"Do  um  duck,  sare  ?  " 

The  warning  came  only  just  in  time. 

Walter  ducked  his  head,  and  a  bullet,  fired  by  a  fugitive 
brigand,  hissed  over  him. 

"  Now  I'll  see  to  your  father,"  said  Walter,  calmly. 

Barrel  turned  up  the  whites  of  his  eyes,  and  then  became 
rigid. 

He  was  dead. 

Lieutenant  Cockles  was  avenged. 

Having  lost  two-thirds  of  their  number,  the  brigands 
Scampered  off  as  well  as  they  could,  and  left  the  field  to  the 
soldiers. 

The  little  coxswain  was  delighted  at  having  killed  the 
brigand's  son. 

Lily  Cockles  would  be  charmed  to  hear  that  the  murderer 
of  her  brother  had  perished. 

She  was  not  revengeful,  but  she  had  her  feelings,  which 
prompted  her  to  hate  the  man  who  killed  her  brother. 

Time  passed. 

Walter  Campbell  could  not  stop  to  bury  the  dead,  and  the 
body  of  Gus  Barrel  remained  stark  and  ghastly  in  the  sun- 
shine. 

"  Now  for  the  castle,"  said  the  little  coxswain.  "  Lily 
must  be  saved  at  all  hazards." 

Several  soldiers  had  fallen  in  the  struggle. 

But  about  thirty  remained,  and  these,  shouldering  their 
rifles,  began  thei  'iarch  to  Castel  Inferno. 

Monday  went  ahead  as  scout. 

Walter  and  the  officer  in  command  rode  at  the  head  of  the 
detachment,  which,  formed  into  fours,  brought  up  the  rear  in 
a  long,  straggling  line. 

The  river  Volturno  was  crossed  at  a  point  where  it  was 
fordable,  and  the  water  did  not  come  up  higher  than  the 
waists  of  the  men. 

On  the  other  side  of  the  river  a  cheery  voice  accosted 
them. 

"  Hullo  !  "  it  said,  "  by  the  'tarnal !  here  you  are  ;  butting 
your  heads  against  brigands,  I  guess,  as  usual." 

It  was  Clear -the-Track  Sam,  on  horseback,  and  with  him 
was  Harvey. 

"  We  couldn't  rest,  after  \v^  heard  you'd  started,"  said 
Harvey 


85         JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THfL  BRIGANDS. 

"  I'm  glad  we've  met,"  replied  Walter.  "  Because  1 
expect  we've  got  sharp  work  before  us." 

"  Have  you  been  fighting  ?  "  asked  Harvey. 

"  Guess  he's  well  blooded,"  remarked  Clear-the-Track 
Sam. 

"  Monday  guided  us  to  a  brigand  outpost,  commanded  by 
Barrel, "  was  the  answer. 

"  And  you  fought  ?  " 

"Rather  ?     I  killed  Darrel  with  my  own  hand." 

"  Bravo,  young  one  ! "  cried  Harvey,  delightedly. 

"  I  told  him  he  couldn't  kill  all  the  little  men,  and  just  to 
see  how  he  liked  it,  I  killed  him,"  replied  the  little  coxswain, 
with  a  smile  of  satisfaction. 

"That  will  balance  matters.     Darrel  for  Garden." 

"You  found  my  letter,  I  suppose?"  asked  Walter. 

"Yes,"  replied  Harvey  ;"  we  came  in  late,  after  hunting 
about  all  day.  But  tired  though  we  were,  we  did  not  hesi- 
tate to  start  at  once  when  we  found  you  had  gone  after  Miss 
Cockles." 

"  Barboni  has  established  some  strange  influence  over  her," 
observed  Walter,  musingly. 

"  He  has,  and  it  is  the  more  singular  since  Lady  Darrel 
explained  to  her  what  a  wicked  rascal  he  is,  and  that  Villa 
nova  and  Barboni  without  the  beard  are  the  same  person." 

Riding  side  by  side,  they  continued  to  chat  as  they  went 
forward. 

"  How  is  Mole  ? "  asked  Walter. 

"Very  bad,"  answered  Harvey. 

"  What's  wrong  with  him  ?  " 

"  Such  a  lark ;  since  Monday's  been  gone,  we  had  to,  hire 
an  English  butler  and  put  in  the  pantry." 

"  Yes." 

"It  appears  the  man  we've  got,  whose  name  is  Thomas,  is 
as  fond  of  crooking  his  elbow  as  Mole  himself." 

"  There's  a  nice  pair,  then." 

"  They  got  drunk  last  night,  and  Mole  got  into  Thomas's 
bed.  In  the  night  they  woke  up. 

'• '  I  say,  sir,'  said  Thomas,  '  there's  some  fellow  in  my 
bed.' 

" '  So  there  is  in  mine,'  replied  Mole. 

"'I'm  going  to  kick  my  fellow  out,'  said  Thomas. 

"  *  So  am  I  going  to  kick  mine  out, '   answered  Mole. 

"  Whereupon  they  both  began  kicking  like  Old  Harry, 


JA  CK  HA  RKA  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS,         87 

until  both  of  them  lay  sprawling  on  the  floor,  and  Mole  fell 
on  his  head,  which,  not  being  so  hard  as  the  boards,  was 
considerably  knocked  about." 

The  little  coxswain  laughed  heartily  at  this  story. 

"  Your  Mister  Mole  is  a  tall  drinker,"  remarked  Sam. 

"  He  can  drink  a  little,"  replied  Harvey. 

"He  wouldn't  blink,  I  reckon,  if  you  gave  him  some  old 
rye  that  would  take  the  hair  off  a  man's  head,  and  make  his 
inside  feel  as  if  he'd  swallowed  a  half-pint  of  darning 
needles  ?" 

"Not  he." 

"  I  took  his  cask  away  this  morning,  because  the  doctor 
said  he  was  to  be  kept  quiet,"  continued  Clear-the-Track 
Sam. 

"  Didn't  he  go  on  ?  " 

"  You  should  have  seen  him  swell  and  bloat  like  a  mad 
porcupine,"  said  Clear-the-Track  Sam. 

"  I  can  fancy  I  see  him,"  said  Harvey. 

"  He  looked  at  me  hard,  and  says  he — '  Mr.  Sam,  I  can 
generally  use  my  tongue  in  defence  of  my  rights,  but  you 
have  committed  so  gross  an  outrage  on  me  by  taking  away 
my  cask  that  I  am  silent,  because  if  I  was  to  swear  for  an 
hour,  I  couldn't  do  justice  to  the  subject.'  " 

The  young  men  laughed  again  at  this. 

"  Any  news  of  Jack  ?  "  asked  Harvey,  after  a  pause. 

"  No  ;  Monday  has  made  an  important  discr»'iry,  though," 
answered  Walter. 

"  What's  that  ?  " 

"  He  has  proved,  beyond  a  doubt,that  the  little  contempt- 
ible scoundrel  they  call  Bigamini  is  a  spy  in  the  employ  of 
the  brigands." 

"  Poor  Garden  always  thought  so." 

"  I  expect  Barboni  derived  much  of  his  information  from 
him  and  the  Contessa  di  Malafedi." 

"  No  doubt  of  it,"  answered  Harvey. 

"  That  young  Harkaway's  a  cute  little  chap,"  remarked 
Clear-the-Track  Sam. 

"  Yes  ;  he's  sharp  enough,"  answered  Walter. 

"  He's  got  my  name  pat  as  butter.  What  do  you  think  he 
said  yesterday  ?  " 

"  Can't  tell." 

"  Says  he,  '  Mr.  Clear-the-Track,  if  you  men  don't  fetcfc 
back  my  pa,  I  shall  have  to  go  after  these  brigands  myself.1 


88        JACK  HARKA  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS 

"  '  You're  not  old  enough,'  says  I. 

"'Well,'  says  he,  '  I'm  not  up  to  your  age,  but  I'm  a  Boy 
of  England,  you  know,  and  that  goes  for  something  in.  fight 
ing  foreigners.'  " 

"That  boy  resembles  his  father  all  over,"  said  Harvey. 

"  Guess  he's  clever  enough  to  find  the  tail  of  a  rainbow," 
replied  Sam.  "  Anybody  got  any  liquor  ? " 

"  Not  a  drop,"  said  Harvey. 

"  That's  bad.  I  feel  like  wetting  my  gills,  if  I  can  get  a 
chance.  What  with  the  dust  and  the  sun,  I'm  pretty  nigh 
baked." 

"  Perhaps,  when  we  reach  the  castle,  we  shall  find  some- 
thing in  the  cellar,"  said  Harvey. 

"I  can't  understand  what  Miss  Cockles  meant  by  saying 
on  the  slip  of  paper  she  left  that  she  has  gone  to  the  castle," 
said  Walter. 

'  Nor  I." 

'  The  Italian  troops  garrison  it." 

'  Very  true,"  said  Harvey. 

'  I  remember  one  thing,"  cried  Walter. 

«  What  is  that  ? " 

"*  In  the  woods  is  an  old  chapel.  Perhaps  he  will  have  a 
priest  there,  and  be  married." 

"  Not  unlikely." 

The  little  coxswain  gnashed  his  teeth  with  rage  and  vexa- 
tion. 

"  Cheer  up,  old  fellow,  and  hope  for  the  best,"  said  Har- 
vey. "  We  may  be  in  time  yet." 

"  Forward,"  cried  the  little  coxswain,  impatiently. 

Leaving  word  with  the  officer  to  press  on  with  the  men, 
they  urged  their  horses  forward. 

Gaining  the  top  of  a  hill,  they  beheld  Castel  Inferno  in 
the  valley  beneath,  standing  out  boldly  in  the  sunshine. 


JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.         89 


CHAPTER   LIV. 

THE     FORCED     MARRIAGE. 

BARBONI,  with  an  audacity  peculiar  to  him,  had  deter- 
mined upon  making  Lily  Cockles  his  wife. 

He  had  a  deep  design  in  doing  so. 

Lily  was  a  wealthy  heiress. 

If  he  could  secure  her  hand,  he  could  disband  his  men, 
and  fly  to  some  island  in  the  Mediterranean,  where  he  would 
be  safe  from  pursuit. 

Here,  loving  and  beloved,  he  could  spend  the  remainder  of 
his  existence  in  peace  and  calmness. 

As  the  Prince  di  Villanova,  Naples  was  closed  to  him. 

As  Barboni,  he  was  a  haunted  man,  with  a  price  on  his 
head. 

In  the  mountains  he  could  prolong  his  existence,  rob 
travellers,  and  still  be  the  king  of  the  brigands. 

This  life  had  enjoyment  for  him. 

Yet  an  existence  of  love  with  Lily  was  very  tempting  to 
him. 

Accordingly  he  assumed  a  disguise,  and  went  into  Naples. 

Lily  was  in  the  garden. 

He  saw  her,  and  exercising  the  power  of  his  superior  will, 
he  commanded  the  weak  and  trembling  girl  to  be  his  wife. 

We  know  that  she  obeyed. 

She  disappeared. 

The  only  clue  she  left  her  friends  was  a  piece  of  pape,, 
on  which  she  wrote  that  she  was  going  to  Castel  Inferno  to 
marry  the  man  whom  she  still  called  the  Prince  di  Villanova. 

We  h?ve  already  stated  that  a  small  company  of  soldiers 
had  beta  placed  i*i  the  castle  as  a  garrison. 

But,  with  his  habitual  daring,  the  brigand  did  not  care  for 
them. 

They  would  be  drinking,  smoking,  and  card-playing,  as  is 
the  custom  of  Continental  soldiers. 

As  Walter  had  conjectured,  he  meant  to  make  Lily  his 
wife  in  the  old  chapel. 

A  priest  from  a  neighbouring  village  had,  in  return  for  a 


00       JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

handsome  present,  easily  consented  to  perform  the  cere- 
mony. 

Outside  Naples  the  brigand  had  a  horse  in  waiting, 

The  half-fainting,  timid  girl  allowed  herself  to  be  con- 
ducted to  this  spot. 

The  brigand  Barboni's  magnetic  influence  completely  con- 
trolled her. 

Lily  Cockles  suffered  herself  to  be  lifted  lightly  on  the 
horse. 

Then  away  like  the  wind. 

Away  to  the  mountains — the  bandit's  bride. 

Regrets  were  useless,  for  she  was  far  away  from  all  who 
could  help. 

She  had  quitted  her  friends  in  rash  haste. 

What  could  she  do,  poor  little  bird,  writhing  under  the 
lo-sc'nation  of  the  snake  ? 

Y-ie  brigand  halted  at  the  sybil's  cave. 

Brutalised  as  he  was,  he  respected  the  old  woman,  who 
had  spoken  truly  when  she  said  that  she  was  his  mother. 

He  expected  to  meet  Bigamini  here. 

It  was  early  morning. 

Bigamini,  pursued  and  watched  by  Monday,  had  been 
gone  some  hours. 

Lily  had  been  travelling  all  night,  and  stood  in  need  of  rest. 

"  Come,  my  darling,"  said  the  brigand,  in  tender  accents. 

She  leant  on  his  arm,  and  they  entered  the  cave. 

He  was  surprised  at  not  seeing  any  thing  of  the  witch. 

Perhaps  she  had  stepped  out  to  gather  sticks. 

Going  to  the  cupboard,  he  took  out  some  food  and  placed 
it  before  Lily. 

She  could  not  eat. 

Then  he  placed  her  on  the  bed,  and  waving  his  hands 
over  her  face,  threw  her  into  a  strong  magnetic  clumber. 

"  Sleep,"  said  he,  in  a  commanding  voice. 

Her  eyes  closed  immediately,  and  Lily  sank  into  a  soft 
slumber. 

Barboni  had  discovered  that  he  was  a  mesmerist. 

This  was  the  secret  of  his  power  over  the  weak  and  gentle 
girl. 

The  wolf  came  up  to  him  c,nd  licked  his  hands,  making  a 
whining  noise. 

"  What  is  it  ?  "  asked  Barboni. 

The  wolf's  whining  increased. 


JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.         9 1 

He  took  hold  of  the  corner  of  the  brigand's  cloak  with 
his  teeth,  and  tried  to  drag  him  up  the  cave. 

"  Diavolo  ! "  cried  Barboni,  "  there  is  something  wrong." 

Seizing  a  lamp,  he  went  with  the  wolf. 

The  animal  stopped  in  front  of  the  hole  in  which  Bigamini 
had  cast  the  dead  body. 

Barboni  stooped  down,  and  saw  something  huddled  up  in 
a  heap. 

He  stretched  out  his  hand. 

It  came  in  contact  with  cold  human  flesh. 

"  Santissima  Virgine  !  "  he  cried,  starting  back  with  horror. 

A  terrible  suspicion  crossed  the  mind  of  this  man  of  blood. 

Nervous  and  agitated,  he  again  stretched  out  his  arm,  and 
exerting  all  his  strength,  he  drew  up  the  body. 

One  glance  at  its  pale  and  haggard  face  was  enough. 

A  fierce  cry  welled  up  from  the  bottom  of  nis  heart. 

Falling  on  his  knees  he  exclaimed — 

"  Mia  madre  !  " 

"  My  mother  !  " 

The  sight  of  his  murdered  parent  unmanned  him  more 
than  he  fancied  he  could  be  moved. 

Man  of  cast-;ron  nerve  and  adamantine  heart  as  he  was, 
he  trembled. 

A  tear  started  to  his  eye,  and  fell  upon  the  corpse. 

Then  his  mood  changed. 

His  face  became  convulsed  with  passion. 

The  veins  on  his  forehead,  swollen  almost  to  bursting, 
stood  out  like  cords. 

Rising  to  his  feet,  he  cried  in  a  terrible  voice — 

"  Cursed  be  the  hand  that  shed  this  blood !  May  his 
limbs  wither  and  rot !  may  all  the  fiends  torture  him  in  fire 
everlasting  !  Let  him  be  accursed ! — accursed  ! — accursed ! " 

Reverently  he  placed  the  body  on  a  bed  of  leaves. 

One  kiss  he  imprinted  on  the  wrinkled  brow. 

This  was  his  eternal  farewell. 

Then  he  closed  the  eyes  that  looked  up  at  him  with  such 
a  wild  and  horrible  expression. 

Retiring  to  the  front  of  the  cave,  he  sat  bowed  down,  with 
his  face  hidden  in  his  hands. 

Memories  of  the  past  thronged  his  teeming  brain. 

He  saw  himself  as  he  had  been,  and  as  he  was  now. 

Saw  himself  an  innocent,  child,  and  a  man  grown  old  in 
tvery  species  of  crime. 


92      JACK  HARK  AW  AY  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

Very,  very  bitter  were  those  memories  of  the  past. 
Evil  days  were  coming  upon  him. 

His  mother  was  dead,  through  the  act  of  some  cowardly 
assassin. 

This  was  blow  number  one. 

Soon  he  was  to  know  that  his  son,  who  had  so  long  usurped 
the  title  of  Darrel,  had  ceased  to  live. 
That  would  be  blow  number  two. 

Misfortunes  never  come  singly;  they  come  in  whole  bat- 
talions. 

At  length  the  sun  rode  high  in  the  heavens,  and  its  rays, 
penetrating  the  sombre  recesses  of  the  cavern,  warned  Bar- 
boni  that  it  was  time  to  be  up  and  doing. 

Going  back  to  the  sibyl's  corpse  he  took  it  up,  and  carried 
it  to  a  deep  well,  down  which  he  let  it  fall. 
On  the  top  he  piled  pieces  of  rock. 
This  was  the  witch's  burial. 
Quittting  his  repulsive  task,  he  woke  up  Lily. 
"Come,  sweet  one,"  he  said,  "time  is  flying." 
"I  am  ready,"  she  answered,  with  a  weary  sigh. 

They  mounted  again,  rode  to  the  Volturno,  crossed  in  the 
ferry,  and  gained  the  lonely  chapel  in  the  wood. 

Here  the  village  priest  was,  by  arrangement,  awaiting  their 
coming. 

"Father,"  said  Barboni,  "I  have  brought  my  bride." 
"I  am  prepared,"  answered  the  priest. 

"Let  the  ceremonies  of  the  church  proceed,"  said  Barboni, 
impatiently;  "and,  cospetto!  cut  short  your  mummeries." 
They  were  alone  in  the  chapel. 
Not  a  single  follower  had  the  brigand  with  him. 
Lily  stood  by  his  side  at  the  altar,  looking  more  like  one 
in  a  trance  than  a  living  being  who  fully    understood  what 
she  was  doing. 

Mesmerism,  when  long  exerted,  has  the  effect  of  weakening 
the  victim. 

Lily  had  been  under  its  influence  for  some  time. 
So  great  was  the  power  that  Barboni  exercised  over  her  that 
she  had  no  will  of  her  own. 
Very  lovely  she  looked. 

Pale,  slender,  drooping,  she  resembled  the  flower  whose 
name  she  bore. 

The  priest  began  to  read  the  services  of  the  Roman  Catholic 
Church. 


JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.         93 

He  had  not  gone  on  long  before  the  brigand  started. 

His  acute  sense  of  hearing  stood  him  in  good  stead. 

"  Hush  !  "  he  exclaimed,  holding  up  his  hand. 

A  few  seconds  passed. 

"  Per  Dios  !  "  he  cried  in  Italian,  "  the  cursed  Inglesi  are 
upon  us." 

He  was  right. 

The  door  of  the  chapel  was  thrust  open. 

"  Here  they  are,"   cried  Walter  Campbell.     "Tally  ho!" 

Barboni  levelled  a  pistol. 

The  cap  snapped. 

"  Would  you  ? "  exclaimed  the  little  coxswain. 

He  fired  in  his  turn  ;  but  his  aim  being  wild,  on  account 
of  his  being  afraid  of  hitting  Lily,  his  bullet  struck  the  priest, 
who  fell  to  the  ground  mortally  wounded. 

The  holy  man  clutched  his  prayer-book  tightly  with  one 
hand,  and  held  a  crucifix  to  his  bleeding  breast  with  the 
other. 

"  Lord,  now  lettest  thou  thy  servant  depart,"  he  muttered. 

He  breathed  heavily,  but  still  clutched  the  crucifix  tightly, 
and  struggled  to  raise  it  to  his  livid  lips. 

"  Holy  Father,"  he  gasped,  "  receive  my  sinful  spirit,  and 
pardon  all  bad  men.  Holy  Virgin !  this  pain.  Pity  me. 
Pardon.  I  come." 

Harvey  and  Clear-the-Track  Sam  had  by  this  time  dis- 
mounted from  their  horses. 

The  little  coxswain  had  hurried  on  before  them,  carried 
along  by  love  and  excitement. 

They  entered  the  chapel,  led  on  by  Walter's  cries. 

Barboni  saw  the  priest  fall,  and  gazed  at  Lily. 

What  could  he  do  ? 

The  odds  against  him  were  tremendous. 

"  Death  to  the  brigand  !  "  shouted  the  little  coxswain, 
again  levelling  his  pistol. 

Again  he  missed  his  mark. 

"  Look  hyar,"  said  Sam,  "  clear  the  track ;  this  won't  do. 
Your  popgun's  as  blunt  as  a  pump-handle.  Clear  the  track, 
I  say." 

"  Dash  it !  "  replied  Walter. 

"  You're  acting  just  like  a  girl  going  to  get  married,  and 
are,  for  all  the  world,  as  soft  as  a  pumpkin.  Clear  the 
track." 

A  ball  from  the  brigand  whizzed  past  his  head. 


*>4         *  ACS  HARK  A  WAY  AMOK*  THE  b  RIGA 

"  This  won't  do,  stranger,  nohow,"  continued  Clear- tiae- 
Track  Sam. 

lie  adx'anced  a  step. 

He  took  a  good  aim,  and  the  brigand's  arm  feU  powerless 
by  his  side. 

"Guess  he's  got  gosh  that  journey,"  he  cried  delightedly. 
"Now  then,  clear  the  track." 

Barboni  cast  a  glance  of  hatred  at  his  enemies. 

He  took  one  loving  look  at  Lily,  who  had  fallen,  fainting 
to  the  ground,  and  disappeared  through  a  door  only  known 
to  himself. 

"  Hurrah !  he's  bolted,"  cried  Walter. 

"Guess  he  takes  lead  with  him,  and  I  cleared  the  track," 
said  Sam. 

"  Never  mind  him.     See  to  Miss  Cockles,"  said  Harvey. 

This  advice  was  not  necessary,  for  the  little  coxswain  had 
already  rushed  forward  and  was  supporting  the  senseless  girl 
in  his  arms. 

"  Ain't  we  to  organize  no  pursoot  ? "  asked  Sam. 

"  He  may  have  followers  at  hand,"  answered  Harvey. 

"  That's  right." 

"  Better  guard  the  chapel." 

"  Bust  his  biler,"  said  Clear-the-Track  in  a  tone  of  disgust. 
"  I  expected  to  see  him  hanging  on  a  sour  apple  tree  by 
noon." 

"  You  peppered  him,"  said  Harvey. 

"I  did  so;  and  I'm  dreadful  glad  to  believe  it.  I  shall 
have  a  drink  over  this,  and  it'll  be  a  case  of  '  How  come 
you  so  ? " 

"  I  think  we've  licked,"  said  Harvey,  who  looked  out  of 
the  door. 

"  No  one  about  ? " 

"  I  can't  see  anybody." 

"  No  brigands  5 '' 

"  Not  the  shadow  of  one.- 

"  Then  I  reckon  this  cabinet  council  is  over,"  said  Sam ; 
"and  if  there's  no  objection  raised  I'P  put  on  a  mild 
smoke." 

He  lighted  a  cigar. 

"  I'm  wild  there  ain't  to  be  no  pursoot,"  he  continued. 

"  Have  a  look  round  if  you  like,"  replied  Harvey. 

"  I  reckon  I  could  strike  a  bee  line  for  that  brigand." 

*  Not  you.     He's  too  fly." 


JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.         95 

"  Not  for  me.     I'm  tee-totally  down  on  brigands." 

"  Cut  along  then,  and  see  what  you  can  do,"  said  Harvey. 

"  Stop  a  bit ;  didn't  you  say   something  about  a  castle  ? " 

"  Yes." 

"  And  there  being  a  chance  of  liquoring  up  ?  " 

"I  did." 

"  Then  I  guess  this  child's  a  fixture.  The  sand  on  this 
continent  is  kinder  onaccountable." 

"  Well,  it  is  dry,"  remarked  Harvey. 

"  I  nekon  I've  eat  to-day  night  upon  a  bushel,  and  if  that 
won't  make  a  man's  inwards  want  rinsing  out,  tell  me  what 
will,  a»kd  Fil  say  I'm  not  thirsty." 

Harvey  laughed. 

The  little  coxswain  had,  by  his  tender  care,  brought  Lily 
to  herself  again. 

She  seemed  to  recover  her  presence  of  mind  now  that  she 
was  removed  from  the  pernicious  mesmeric  influence  of 
Barboni. 

In  a  few  -words  Walter  told  her  that  the  brigand  had  gone 
away  with  his  arm  broken. 

She  shuddered  as  she  saw  the  dead  body  of  the  unhappy 
priest. 

"That  was  my  fault,"  said  Walter;  "but  my  hand  shook 
so  confoundedly  with  riding  all  day,  and  the  fear  of  hitting 
you,  that  it  was  quite  an  accident." 

"  Is  he  really  gone  ? "  asked  Lily. 

"  Who— Barboni  ? " 

"Yes." 

"  Cleared  right  out,"  answered  Walter. 

Looking  up  in  his  face,  she  smiled  through  her  tears. 

"  I  have  been  very  foolish,"  she  said. 

"  Wall,"  said  Clear-the-Track,  "  that's  a  fact." 

"  It  was  not  my  fault  though,"  she  continued. 

"How's  that?" 

"  That  man  seemed  to  govern  me  against  my  will.  You 
*re  all  kind  friends ;  you  will  forgive  me." 

"Quick  as  time,"  said  Sam. 

"We  have  no  right  to  blame  you,  Miss  Cockles,"  sai\ 
Walter,  "but  we  shall  be  very  pleased  if  you  think  we  have 
done  right  in  coming  after  you  and  saving  you  from  a  thief 
and  a  miscreant." 

"  Of  course  I  am  grateful ;  only " 

She  shuddered  visibly. 


96        JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

"  Only  keep  him  away  from  me  in  future,  or  I  know  not 
what  may  happen." 

"  He's  a  man  that'll  bear  watchin',"  said  Clear-the-Track. 
;<  He's  got  hyena  eyes." 

"  Yes,  yes ;  it  is  his  eyes,"  cried  Lily,  eagerly. 

"  Wall,  miss,  I  guess  I'm  tickled  to  death  a'most  to  see 
you  again,"  said  Sam ;  "  and  now  let's  get  out  of  this  sink 
of  sin,  and  make  tracks  for  the  castle." 

The  proposition  was  a  good  one. 

Harvey  went  first. 

The  little  coxswain  followed,  with  Lily  on  his  arm. 

Sam  brought  up  the  rear. 

They  had  not  far  to  go  to  reach  the  castle. 

Here  the  soldiers  received  them  kindly. 

Their  own  detachment,  which  they  had  headed  consider- 
ably in  their  impatience,  came  up  soon  after. 

Scouring  parties  were  sent  out  after  the  wounded  brigand. 

Lunch  was  provided  for  the  English,  and  Sam  quenched 
his  uncomfortable  thirst  in  a  bottle  of  right  good  wine. 

Lily  recovered  her  strength,  and  soon  became  herself  again. 

In  the  cool  of  the  evening  the  party  returned  to  Naples. 

The  scouring  parties  came  in  without  having  found  ar^ 
trace  of  the  enemy. 

Monday  accompanied  Harvey  and  his  frieuds  as  far  as 
the  river. 

"  Um  go  no  further,  sare,"  he  said. 

"  Why  not  ?  "  asked  Harvey. 

"  Never  live  in  um  town  again  till  um  find  Mast'  Jack." 

"  But  your  wife  Ada  wants  to  see  you.  Come  home  for  a 
day  or  two." 

"  Me  love  my  vHfe  very  much,  sare,  but  um  owe  a  duty  to 
Mast' Jack." 

"  As  you  like." 

"Tell  Ada,  sare,  um  quite  well,  and  hope  be  back  soon." 

"Trust  me,"  said  Harvey. 

He  wrung  the  faithful  fellow's  hand,  and  the  next  mo- 
ment Monday  was  threading  his  way  through  the  bush,  to 
prosecute  some  idea  which  had  occurred  to  his  savage 
instinct 


JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.         97 


CHAPTER  LV. 
THE   BLACK'S    DEVOTION. 

STANDING  at  the  door  of  the  chapel,  Monday  had  seen 
Barboni  making  his  escape. 

He  had  rushed  round  to  the  other  side,  without  discover- 
ing any  trace  of  the  wounded  brigand. 

Knowing  that  the  whole  place  was  honeycombed  with 
subterranean  passages,  he  imagined  that  he  had  got  away 
by  some  hole-and-corner  way  with  which  he  vas  acquainted, 

An  examination  of  the  brigands'  cave  had  shewn  that 
there  was  a  communication  between  Castel  Inferno  and  the 
cavern. 

A  gallery  cut  in  the  solid  rock. 

Barboni  had  used  this  when  Hunston's  telegram  had 
•ummoned  him  to  fight  Garden. 

But  though  Monday  was  foiled  for  the  moment,  he  did 
»iot  despair. 

Where  was  Barboni  so  likely  to  go  as  to  the  mountains  ? 

Though  Barrel's  outpost  had  been  touted,  and  himself 
slain,  there  was  no  reason  why  the  brigands  should  change 
their  headquarters. 

They  would  certainly  remain  where  they  were  until  their 
master's  return. 

Acting  upon  this  idea.  Monday  hastened  to  the  spot 
where  Barrel  had  been  surprised. 

The  corpse  lay  where  it  had  fallen. 

Bodies  of  soldiers  and  brigands  were  also  spread  about, 
which  also  showed  that  Hunston  was  afraid  to  descend  into 
the  plains  to  bury  them,  and  anxiously  awaited  the  chief's 
return. 

Hiding  himself  behind  a  bush  not  far  from  the  body  of 
Barrel,  Monday  waited. 

The  sun  was  already  sinking  in  the  heavens. 

A  cool  refreshing  breeze  came  up  from  the  sea,  and 
agitated  the  sultry  atmosphere. 

For  more  than  an  hour,  Monday  waited. 

He  crouched  like  a  panther  waiting  for  his  prey. 
7 


9&         TACK  HARK  A  IV A  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

Neither  hunger  nor  thirst  had  any  effect  upon  the  wiry 
savage. 

He  had  a  duty  to  perform. 

Jack  Harkaway,  his  master,  whom  he  loved  better  than 
life  itself — more  than  his  affectionate  little  white  wife,  was 
in  captivity. 

The  one  idea  in  his  mind  was  to  rescue  his  master. 

Suddenly  a  shrill  whistle  sounded  on  the  air. 

Monday  instantly  recognized  it,  as  that  peculiar  signal  by 
which  Barboni  intimated  his  presence  to  his  friends. 

There  was  no  answer. 

The  brigand  raised  his  voice. 

"Vi  saluta  Barboni." 

This  was  the  password. 

His  tone  was  no  longer  harsh  and  commanding. 

His  broken  arm  had  bled  freely,  during  the  weary  journey 
from  the  old  chapel  to  the  base  of  the  mountains. 

He  was  faint  and  weak. 

A  tempest  had  been  raging  in  his  mind. 

He  was  suffering  exquisite  pain. 

"  Vi  saluta  Barboni !  "  he  cried    again,  in  a  louder  voice. 

Only  the  echoes  of  the  everlasting  hills  mocked  him. 

Surprised  at  this  portentous  silence,  he  looked  carefully 
around  him. 

His  eye  ~.'i\\  upon  dead  bodies. 

Upon  Bersaglieri,  in  their  gay  uniforms,  lying  side  by 
side  with  brigands  in  their  picturesque  costumes. 

"  Ha !  "  he  cried,  "  there  has  been  a  struggle,  and  my 
men  are  driven  back. 

He  took  a  step  in  advance. 

"  What  is  this  ?  "  he  exclaimed. 

Then  came  up  a  fierce  wail,  which  went  to  heaven. 

The  man's  sins  were  finding  him  out. 

"  My  son — my  son  !  Oh,  God,  my  son  !  "  he  cried  raising 
his  unwounded  hand  on  high. 

Again  he  fell  on  his  knees,  as  he  had  fallen  in  the  sybil's 
cave,  when  he  mourned  his  mother. 

It  was  not  his  mother  now. 

It  was  his  only  son,  whose  death  he  had  to  deplore. 

He  had  hoped  much  from  Gus  Barrel,  and  to  see  him  cut 
off  in  his  prime  was  a  sore  and  heavy  blow. 

All  seemed  lost. 

**  My  son — my  son  !  "  he  wailed,  in  his  strong  agony. 


'.<  CA  EARKA  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 


99 


His  griel  tore  his  already  lacerated  heart. 

Now  foe  saw  how  sweet  were  the  paths  of  virtue. 

How  inexpressibly  bitter  the  broad  and  pleasant  road  which 
leadeth  to  destruction. 

A  stealthy  step  came  behind  him. 

\  long  arm  was  outstretched. 

His  throat  was  seized  from  behind,  and  he  was  thrown  on 
!.is  back. 

He  lay  there  gasping,  with  the  cruel,  suffocating  pressure 
•  -icing  his  eyeballs  to  start  out  of  his  head. 

"  Mercy  !  mercy  ! "  he  cried. 

It  was  the  6rst  time  the  proud  and  haughty,  so  long  suc- 
cessful, Barboni  had  ever  uttered  those  humiliating  words. 

He  had  thought,  in  the  pride  of  his  heart,  that  he  would 
never  have  occasion  to  do  so. 

But  his  sin  had  found  him  out. 

This  was  a  day  of  expiation. 

Monday  bent  over  him,  and  took  his  arms  away. 

First  his  pistols,  then  his  dagger. 

"  You  only  got  one  arm,"  said  the  black.  "  Now  you  get 
up.  You  no  more  good  than  um  dried  snake." 

Barboni  rose  slowly  to  his  feet. 

In  the  presence  of  an  enemy  he  became  brave  again. 

It  was  the  torture  of  the  mind  that  made  him  weak.  So 
he  said — 

6 1  am  your  prisoner." 

'  That  am  so,"  replied  Monday.  • 

'  If  I  mistake  not,  you  are  Mr.  Harkaway's  black  servant  ? " 

'  Um  friend  of  Mast'  Jack,"  replied  Monday. 

'  Ah,  I  see.  You  perceive  that  my  left  arm  is  broken  by 
a  pistol  shot.  Were  it  not  so,  I  should  not  have  surrendered 
^o  easily  to  you.'' 

"  Cut  um  yarn  short,"  replied  Monday. 

"  Of  course  you  desire  the  liberation  of  your  master  ? " 
said  Barboni. 

Monday  nodded  his  head. 

"Will  you  exchange  me  for  him  ?  " 

"  How  it  am  got  to  be  done  ? "  asked  Monday,  dubiously. 

"  Take  this  ring  higher  up  the  mountain,  and  give  it  to 
Signor  Hunstoni,  with  an  order  in  my  handwriting  for  the 
release  of  Mr.  Harkaway." 

"  Perhaps  fall  into  um  trap." 

"No,"  said  Barboni;  "  I  am  fallen.     I  have  met  with  re- 


100      JACK  HARKA  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

verses  and  suffered — how  keenly  none  bu,t  myself  know ; 
but  I  have  not  fallen  so  low  as  to  be  disobeyed  by  my  own 
men," 

"  Give  um  order  and  urn  ring,"  replied  Monday. 

"  You  will  go  ?  " 

"  Make  you  fast  first." 

"Do  what  you  like  with  me,"  replied  Barboni.  "  I  know 
Mr.  Harkaway  to  be  a  gentleman,  and  he  will  keep  the  bar- 
gain I  have  made  with  you,  as  it  is  my  life  for  his." 

Monday  led  him  to  a  tree  in  a  secluded  spot,  and  with  a 
couple  of  belts  he  took  from  the  bodies  of  dead  soldiers,  he 
made  him  fast. 

But  before  he  was  tied  up,  Barboni  took  out  his  tablets, 
and  wrote  the  order. 

"  To  Signor  Hunstoni,  in  command  of  outpost  No.  2. 
On  sight  of  my  signet  ring  I  order  you  to  at  once  and  un- 
conditionally deliver  up  Mr.  Harkaway,  our  prisoner,  alive 
and  well,  to  bearer,  without  following  him  or  organising  any 
pursuit.  BARBONI." 

Barboni  gave  him  directions  which  way  to  go. 

Gallantly  Monday  climbed  the  hills  for  about  an  hour. 

He  saw  a  fire  burning  and  brigands  lying  round  it. 

Hunston  was  sitting  on  a  large  stone,  smoking  a  pipe. 

This  was  outpost  No   2. 

Monday  glided  past  the  sentries,  and  appeared  in  the 
centre  of  the  circle. 

"  Mist'  Hunston,"  he  said,  as  he  rose  up. 

"  What  the  deuce — Monday  i  "  cried  Hunston. 

"  Don't  shoot,  sare.     Me  come  as  'bassador  from  Barboni. 

Hunston  lowered  the  pistol  he  had  raised. 

"  What's  the  meaning  of  this  ?  "  he  said. 

"The  brigands  had  sprung  to  their  feet  and  grasped  their 
rifles. 

They  saw  the  black  ghost  again,  and  knew  not  what  to 
make  of  him. 

Monday  held  out  the  letter  and  the  ring. 

Hunston  read  the  one  and  looked  at  the  other. 

"  By  Jove  !  "  he  said  ;  "  what  has  happened  ?  " 

"  Barboni  um  prisoner  ;  Mist'  Darrel  dead." 

"I  knew  Darrel  was  shot  and  our  advance  guard  driven 
in.  Who  captured  the  chief  ? "' 


JA  CK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.       i  o  i 

"  Um  not  at  liberty  to  say,  sare." 

"  Well,"  said  Hunston,  "  this  order  is  straight  enough.     I 
hate  Harkaway  like  poison,  but  orders  must  be  obeved." 
•     "If  not,  Barboni  dies,  sare." 

"Wait  here,  and  I  will  send  for  Harkaway." 

Hunston  spoke  to  a  brigand,  who  on  receiving  his  instruc- 
tions, started  off  at  a  brisk  pace  higher  up  the  mountains. 

"Well,  Monday,"  said   Hunston,  "it's  a  long  time  since 
we  met." 

"  Yes,  sare ;  knew  you  in  Limbi." 

"  Of  course  you  did,  you  confounded  piece  of  ebony." 

"  Been  doing  well,  sare  ?  " 

"Jogging  along,"  answered  Hunston. 

"  Best  turn  honest  man,  sare." 

"  It's  easier  to    preach   about  it  than  to  do  it,"  replied 
Hunston.     "  I  think  I  shall  cut  this  life." 

"  Cut  it,  sare  ? " 

"  Yes,  I'm   about  tired  of  it,  and  I've  got  some  money. 
America  would  suit  me." 

"  They've  got  gallows  in  um  United   States,  sare,"  said 
Monday  grinning. 

"  Don't  you  cheek  me,"  exclaimed  Hunston. 

"  No,  sare  ;  no  cheek." 

"It   brings   back  old   times   to   see  you,  Monday,"  said 
Hunston,  after  a  pause. 

"This  is  something  like  Pisang  and  Limbi,  sare." 

"  Well,  yes ;  it's  a  rough  and  tumble,  unsatisfactory  sort 
of  life,  and  I  tell  you  I'm  sick  of  it." 

"You  and  I  not  enemies,  Mist'  Hunston  ?" 

"  No.     You're  Harkaway's  servant,  and  that's  all  I've  got 
against  you." 

"  Give  um  Monday  some  drink,  sare." 

"  If  you'll  tell  me  what's  happened  I  will." 

"  Can't  tell  all,  sare." 

"  Has  Barboni  pulled  that  marriage  off  ?  " 

"  No,  sare  ;  it  stopped." 

"  Who  by  ?  " 

"  Mast'  Harvey,  little  coxswain,  and  a  'Merican  chap  um 
not  like  cos  he  run  down  um  niggers." 

"  Oh,  have  they  got  some  one  to  take  Garden's  place  ?  " 

"  Yes,  sare ;  Mist'  Clear-the-Track." 

"  That's  a  rum  name." 

"  Him  rum  chap." 


1 02       JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

"  Where  is  Barboni  ?  "  asked  Hunston. 

"  That  um  secret,  sare." 

"  Did  he  show  fight  ?  " 

"Him  left  arm  broken,  sare." 

"  It's  all  his  own  fault.  I  told  him  he  ought  to  take  men 
with  him,"  said  Hunston  ;  "  but  he's  so  jolly  pig-headed ; 
he  won't  be  persuaded.  Are  you  hungry  as  well  as  thirsty  ? " 

"  Um  could  break  um  crust,  sare  ? " 

"That's  about  all  you'll  get,  for  we're  jolly  badly  off  for 
rations  to-day." 

Hunston  ordered  some  refreshment  to  be  placed  before 
Monday,  who  was  glad  to  get  any  thing. 

He  had  eaten  nothing  since  the  previous  night  when  he 
devoured  Bigamini's  fowls. 

When  he  had  finished  eating,  Hunston  spoke  to  him 
again. 

"  The  luck's  taken  a  turn,"  he  remarked. 

"  Yes,  sare." 

"  Lady  Darrel  and  the  real  Lord  Barrel,  I  hear,  are  with 
you,  and  you've  got  Emily  back,  and  now  Harkaway's  going." 

"  It's  'bout  time,"  said  Monday. 

"  Barboni  wounded,  too,  our  cave  discovered,  and  the 
whole  gaff  blown.  Who'd  have  thought  it  three  weeks  ago  ?  " 

He  heaved  a  sigh  of  disgust. 

A  slight  noise  announced  the  approach  of  some  one. 

It  was  Jack  Harkaway. 

He  was  pale  and  thin,  but  he  cast  a  glance  of  defiance  at 
Hunston. 

"  What  do  you  want  with  me  ?  "  he  asked. 

"  Now,"  replied  Hunston,  "  aren't  you  a  cantankerous  son 
of  a  sea-cook  ?  " 

"  Why  ?  If  I  am  a  prisoner,  you  must  not  insult  me 
They've  taken  my  chains  off,  and  I  can  kick." 

"  Mast'  Jack  !  "  exclaimed  Monday. 

"  Ha !  "  cried  Jack,  "  you  a  prisoner,  too  ?  Poor  fellow, 
I'm  sorry  for  this." 

"  No,  sare,  I'm  not  um  prisoner." 

"  What  then  ? " 

"  I'm  'bassador." 

Turning  to  Hunston,  Jack  said — 

"  Will  you  kindly  explain  this  mystery  ?  " 

"  You're  free  to  go  when  you  like  with  your  black  friend/ 

Ja-ck  smiled  incredulously. 


JACK  HARKA  WA  Y  AMONG  TffE  BRIGANDS.       103 

"  Be  a  man,  Hunston,"  he  exclaimed.  "  Don't  chaff  me 
while  I  am  in  my  present  position." 

"  I'll  be  hanged  if  I'm  chaffing." 

«  But -" 

"  Look  at  this." 

Jack  eagerly  read  the  order  by  the  light  of  the  fire. 

His  face  brightened. 

"  Thank  you,"  he  said. 

"  I  don't  know  how  it's  been  worked,  Harkaway,  but 
you've  got  your  ticket  of  leave,"  exclaimed  Hunston  ;  "  and 
as  you  know  me  as  well  as  I  know  you,  I'll  speak  the  truth  and 
shame  the  devil,  and  say  I'm  thundering  sorry  for  it." 

"  Hunston,  old  fellow,"  said  Jack,  •  I've  no  cause  to  love 
YOU,  but  I  don't  hate  you  as  you  do  me." 

'  That's  not  my  fault." 

'  No ;  you've  tried  to  make  me  a  bitter  enemy." 

'  Haven't  you  given  me  cause  ?  " 

'  I  hope  not ;  and  look  here." 

'  Well  ? " 

'  If  you  like  to  cut  this  gang,  I'll  forget  the  past.  I'll  let 
bygones  be  bygones,  and  give  you  another  start." 

'  Keep  your  start  for  yourself,"  said  Hunston,  surlily. 

'  All  right  I've  made  you  the  offer,  and  if  we  .neet  again 
when  you're  going  to  the  scaffold,  it  won't  be  my  fault,  and 
J  shall  have  nothing  to  upbraid  nrvself  with." 

'  Leave  me  to  take  my  own  course." 

'  I  certainly  shall  after  what  you've  s"Vla." 

'  Don't  I  know  my  game  better  than  you  can  teach  me  ?  * 

'  Perhaps.     Good-bye,"  said  Jack. 

'  Go  to " 

Hunston's  last  words  were  lost  upon  Jack,  who  had  stepped 
away  with  Monday, 

They  descended  the  side  of  the  hill  rapidly,  and  did  not 
attempt  to  speak  until  they  reached  the  plain. 

Then  Monday  told  Jack  all  that  had  happened. 

"  By  Jove  !  "  he  said,  "  we've  been  making  history.  Car- 
den  shot — Darrel  dead — Bigamini  a  spy — Barboni  captured 
and  wounded — his  marriage  with  Lily  frustrated — Emily  safe 
— Lady  Darrel  and  Luni  with  us — what  a  budget  of  news  !  " 

"  Yes,  sare." 

"  We  must  set  Barboni  at  liberty,"  Jack  continued. 

"Why  not  shoot  um  brigand  sare?"  asked  Monday,  with 
a  savage  glance  of  the  eye. 


104     JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

"Monday  !  "  exclaimed  Jack,  reprovingly. 

"  In  Limbi,  um  eat  him,  sare." 

"  I  daresay,  but  you  are  not  in  your  native  country,  and  I 
thought  you  had  forgotten  all  those  things." 

"Mast'  Jack  do  as  him  like,"  replied  Monday,  humbly. 

"  I'm  ashamed  of  you,"  said  Jack. 

"  Mean  no  harm,  sare  but  think,  Mast'  Jack." 

"  Think  what  ?  " 

"  P'raps  never  get  Barboni  again." 

"  You  forget  that  he  arranged  that  he  should  be  liberated 
by  you  if  his  men  set  me  free  ;  and  brigand,  murderer,  thief, 
and  blackguard  though  he  is,  that  is  no  excuse  for  my  break- 
ing faith  with  him." 

"  You  promise  nothing." 

"  You  promised  it  in  my  name.  Say  no  more.  I  would 
rather  lose  my  life  than  do  a  dirty  trick." 

Jack  spoke  decisively. 

Monday  was  silenced. 

They  came  to  where  Barboni  was  bound  to  the  tree,  and 
Jack  instantly  set  him  free. 

"  We  meet  on  equal  terms  at  last,"  said  Jack. 

"  I  have  nothing  to  say  to  you,  Mr.  Harkaway,"  replied 
the  brigand.  "  My  wound  is  stiff  and  painful.  I  am  weak 
from  loss  of  blood,  and  my  mind  is  disturbed  by  the  disas- 
ters which  have  befallen  me." 

"  I  don't  want  to  talk  to  you,"  said  Jack,  curtly. 

"  Nor  I  to  you." 

"Think  yourself  lucky  I  keep  faith  with  you." 

"Oh,"  said  Barboni, "blandly,  "  I  knew  you  were  a  gentle- 
man, Mr.  Harkaway." 

"  Which  you  are  not." 

"That  is  an  insult,"  exclaimed  Barboni,  firing  up.  "  Be- 
fore twenty-four  hours  have  passed  over  your  head,  you  shall 
repent  that  speech,  sir." 

" Bosh  ! " 

"  You'll  think  of  my  words  in  a  short  time.  Cospetto ! 
you  don't  know  me  yet,"  said  Barboni. 

"Lead  the  way,  Monday,"  said  Jack;  "the  country  is 
strange  to  me." 

"  Come  on,  sare." 

Jack  and  Monday  quickly  disappeared,  while  the  brigand, 
slowly  and  with  laborious  footsteps,  climbed  the  mountain 
to  reach  his  men. 


JA  CK  HA  RKt  1WAY  AMONG  THE  B  '{IGANDS.       1 05 

He  was  faint  with  hunger  and  weak  from  loss  of  blood. 

Much  of  the  fire  had  been  taken  out  of  him. 

Still  there  was  some  of  the  old  spirit  in  him  when  the  threat 
against  Jack  was  delivered. 

He  had  some  deadly  purpose  in  view. 

Beaten,  baffled,  foiled,  and  wounded  as  he  was,  Barboni 
was  not  a  man  to  be  trifled  with. 

If  he  said  a  thing,  he  meant  it. 

There  was  danger  ahead. 

But  Jack  was  so  pleased  at  recovering  his  liberty,  and  at 
learning  all  the  good  news,  that  he  thought  he  could  afford 
to  laugh  at  the  idle  threats  of  a  defeated  brigand. 


CHAPTER  LVI. 
JACK'S  RETURN. 

A  VERY  pleasant  little  party  was  assembled  in  the  drawing- 
room  of  the  house  in  the  Strada  di  Toledo. 

Emily  was  recounting  her  adventures  among  the  brigands. 

Lady  Darrel  and  Luni,  who  was  much  stronger  and  better, 
made  remarks  from  time  to  time  to  explain  the  mysteries  of 
the  cave,  and  its  connection  with  Castel  Inferno. 

Only  one  cloud  remained  to  be  dissipated. 

This  was  the  absence,  in  captivity,  of  Jack. 

They  did  not  guess  that  Harkaway  was  at  that  moment  on 
his  way  back  to  Naples,  accompanied  by  the  faithful  Monday. 

Jack's  absence  notwithstanding,  all  confessed  that  they  had 
great  cause  for  congratulation. 

So  much  had  happened  in  so  short  a  time. 

The  brigands'  power  had  been  crippled,  if  not  destroyed. 

Mr.  Mole  was  very  talkative. 

"It  is  my  opinion,"  he  said,  "that  those  brigands  are  con- 
temptible fellows." 

"  They've  shown  themselves  any  thing  but  that,"  replied 
Harvey. 

"Tackle  them  boldly,"  cried  Mr.  Mole,  "on  the  nettle 
principle." 

"  It's  all  very  well  to  talk,"  said  the  liHle  coxswain, 
contemptuously. 


1 06     fA  CK  HA  RKA  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIG  A  #££ 

His  opinion  of  Mr.  Mole  was  not  very  high. 

"  What  does  a  nettle  do  if  you  touch  it  lightly  ? "  cried 
Mole. 

"  Stings." 

"  Of  course,  it  stings  you  for  your  pains ;  but  grasp  it 
boldly,  like  a  man  of  mettle,  and  it  soft  as  silk  remains. 
Now,  you've  been  pottering  about,  and  coquetting  with  your 
brigand." 

"  We  shall  have  him  in  a  corner  before  long." 

"  Yes,"  said  a  tiny  voice  at  Emily's  knee,  "me  give  it  him 
hot  some  these  days." 

"  Hallo  !  young  Jack,  what  do  you  know  about  it  ? "  asked 
Harvey. 

The  little  fellow  drew  himself  up  proudly,  and  shp'-'/ideretJ 
a  pop-gun. 

"  Give  me  real  shoot  gun,"  he  answered,  "  and  me  kill  all 
the  brigands  and  get  my  papa  back," 

"  Bravo,  youngster ! "  exclaimed  the  little  coxswain, 
"  You're  made  of  the  right  stuff." 

A  tear  rose  to  Emily  s  eye. 

She  caught  up  her  darling,  and  straining  him  to  her  breast; 
kissed  him  tenderly. 

"  My  precious  one,"  she  murmured.  "  God  forbid  you 
should  ever  have  any  thing  to  do  with  those  dreadful 
men." 

"  The  fact  is,"  said  1VW.  Mole,  "  you  can  not  put  old  heads 
on  to  young  shoulders." 

"  Who  wants  to  ?  "  Asked  Harvey. 

"  No  or  %  The  significance  of  my  remark  lies  in  this  way. 
Before  I  wame  amongst  you  nothing  was  done.  Since  my 
arrival  the  brigand  has  had  to  turn  tail." 

'  I  guess  you're  tarnation  clever,"  said  Clear-the  Track. 

'  Thank  you  for  the  compliment." 

'  You  think  it  \r as  all  through  you  that  Barboni's  bust  up  ?' 

'  Undoubtedly,''  replied  Mr.  Mole  with  a  complacent  smile 

'Why  don't  you  jet  Harkaway  out  clear?  " 

'I  have  done  the  best  I  can  in  putting  Monday  on  the 
scent.  You  have  all  ;f  you  failed,  so,  like  a  skilful  general, 
I  try  A  new  card  and  dispatch  the  black." 

"  A  fat  lot  I  expect  be'll  do,"  said  the  coxswain. 

"  Don't  condemn  him  just  yet.  So  far  my  judgment  has 
been  good,  for  up  to  tht;  present  time  Monday  has  been  a 
decided  success,"  replied  Mole. 


JACK  HARKA  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.       107 

"  I  wish  he  may  go  all  right,"  observed  Harvey.  "  But  I 
have  my  doubts." 

"  Don't  be  afraid  about  Harkaway,"  said  Mole. 

"  Why  not  ?  " 

"  That  man  has  got  as  many  lives  as  a  cat.  They'll  never 
hurt  him.  I  shouldn't  wonder  if  he  were  to  walk  in  at  any 
moment." 

There  was  an  incredulous  laugh  at  this. 

"  No  such  luck,"  replied  Harvey,  shaking  his  head  dismally. 

As  he  spoke  the  door  opened,  and  Monday  rushed  in. 
looking  wild  and  savage. 

His  only  attire  was  a  piece  of  linen  round  his  loins. 

The  ladies  uttered  a  shriek,  a^d  young  Jack  clung  to  his 
mother. 

Here  him  come,"  said  Monday,  delightedly.     "We have 
um  race  from  bottom  of  um  street,  and  I  lick  Mast'  Jack." 

"  Not  by  much,  you  beggar,"  cried  Jack,  who  made  his 
appearance  in  the  doorway. 

"  By  Jove,  it's  Jack  !  "  cried  Harvey,  astonished. 

Harkaway  ran  to  his  wife,  and,  clasping  her  in  his  arms, 
kissed  her  over  and  over  again. 

"  This  is  too  much  happiness,"  replied  Emily,  over  whose 
eyes  came  a  dizzy  film. 

Monday  did  a  dance  on  the  hearthrug,  and  Mr.  Mole  was 
so  excited  that  he  got  up,  and,  putting  his  arm  around  the 
black,  danced  with  him. 

They  waltzed  round  and  round,  till  Mole,  getting  giddy, 
fell  up  against  a  flower-stand,  and  tumbled  down,  dragging 
Monday  with  him. 

A  mass  of  geraniums  and  fuschias  overwhelmed  them. 

"  Um  not  live  on  um  geraniums,"  said  Monday,  spluttering, 
with  his  mouth  full  of  bloom. 

"  You're  better  off  than  me,"  replied  Mole.  "  I've  only 
got  the  earth." 

They  extricated  themselves  as  well  as  they  could. 

Then  began  such  a  handshaking  as  Jack  had  never  had 
before. 

"  Hurrah,  hurrah  !  "  cried  Harvey.  "  Cut  along,  Monday, 
and  bring  up  some  wine." 

"  A  very  desirable  suggestion,"  said  Mr.  Mole,  still  spit- 
ting out  earth  ;  "  I  heartily  approve  of  it.  We  must  drink 
Harkaway's  health." 

"  With  all  the  honours,"  remarked  Walter  Campbell. 


1 08     JA  CK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS, 

Clear-the-Track  Sam  went  up  to  Jack,  who  had  just  finished 
kissing  his  child,  and  had  handed  him  back  to  Emily,  who 
was  sitting  on  the  sofa,  half-fainting  with  delight,  supported 
by  Hilda. 

"  Guess  you're  Boss  Harkaway  ? "  said  Sam. 

"  That's  my  name,"  replied  Jack. 

"Glad  to  know  you.  Stars  and  Stripes  !  I  reckon  you're 
some  clever  to  get  away  from  those  brigands." 

"  I  have  to  thank  Monday  for  that." 

"  Thank  the  black  ?  " 

"  Yes." 

"  Do  tell,"  said  Clear-the-Track,  in  surprise. 

Jack  related  how  Monday  had  fallen  upon  Barboni  while 
he  was  lamenting  over  the  body  of  Barrel,  and  so  effected 
an  exchange. 

"  Well,"  said  Sam,  "  I  guess  I'm  full  against  niggers,  but 
if  this  polished  skunk  ain't  a  cut  above  coloured  gentlemen 
in  usual,  I'll  never  touch  old  rye  again." 

He  turned  to  Monday. 

"  Give  us  your  fin,  old  fish,"  he  added. 

But  Monday  was  gone  to  embrace  his  wife,  Ada,  and  bring 
up  the  wine  Harvey  had  ordered. 

"  Are  you  a  friend  of  Mi.  Harvey's  ?  "  inquired  Jack. 

"  I  reckon  you  aren't  far  out.  My  name's  Clear-the-Track 
Sam,  and  I  calculate  I'm  smart  enough  to  bottle  up 
brigands." 

Jack  laughed,  and  Harvey  explained  how  they  had  made 
the  young  American's  acquaintance. 

Lady  Barrel,  Luni,  and  Lily  Cockles  next  came  in  for  a 
share  of  our  hero's  attention. 

He  had  a  great  deal  to  hear. 

The  forced  marriage,  the  escape  of  Lady  Barrel,  Emily, 
and  Luni  had  been  recounted  hastily  to  him  by  Monday,  as 
well  as  the  death  of  Garden. 

But  he  now  received  the  details. 

He  was  very  sorry  for  Garden,  and  disgusted  at  the  cruel 
death  of  Sir  Sydney  Bawson. 

His  hatred  for  Barboni  increased. 

Monday  came  up,  dressed,  with  half  a  dozen  of  champagne. 

"  That's  your  sort,"  said  Sam.  "  I'm  death  on  this  nigger 
now. 

"'I'll  put  niy  money  on  a  big  black  man, 
Dooda,  dooda,  day.' " 


H4.RKAWAY  tfJ/c  VG  THE  BRIGANDS.       109 

fi>>  Are  yo^  .ond  of  singing  ?  "  asked  Mr.  Mole. 
"Nothing  wonderful,"  replied  Sam. 
'*  Did  you  ever  hear  that 

" '  Yankee  Doodle  came  to  town  upon  a  little  pony, 
Stuck  a  feather  in  his  cap,  and  called  it  maccaroni  ? ' " 

'•'  i  guess  you  want  to  insult  me,"  said  Sam. 

"  By  no  means,  Mr. — what's  your  name  ?  "  replied  Mole. 

'•'  Clear-the- Track  is  my  name." 

"  Ah  !  to  be  sure.  I  had  forgotten  it,  though  I  knew  it 
v/as  some  outlandish,  over-the-water  nickname." 

"  Look  here,  you'd  better  watch  it." 

"  Who  labelled  you  ?  "  asked  Mr.  Mole. 

"  Why,  you  mean  cuss,"  said  Sam,  "  you  low-minded  swiH- 
tub,  guess  you  ain't  fit  to  black  the  shoes  of  a  Bowery  boy. 
You  Long  Island  loafer,  you  sand-crab,  you're  worse  than  a 
copperhead." 

"  My  dear,  sir."  said  Mr.  Mole,  shrinking  under  the  torrent 
of  abuse. 

'  You  everlasting  ghost,  you  dead  rabbit,  you " 

'  My  worthy  friend." 

'  You  lushing  son  of  a  down-east  kinky-headed  nigger." 

'  This  is  too  much." 

'  Go  and  lie  like  a  lizav  1  in  the  sun,  you  smoke-dried  old 
bootjack,"  concluded  Sam. 

Mr.  Mole  sank  back  in  his  chair,  with  his  mouth  wide  open. 

"Well,  I  never  did,"  he  gasped. 

"And  may  I  be  eternally  spifflicated  if  I  ever  did  see  such 
a  long  slab  of  humbug  in  all  Europe." 

"  I  was  never  called  a  smoke-dried  old  bootjack  before," 
said  Mr.  Mole 

"  Will  you  own  up  like  a  man  that  you're  whipped,  you 
thundering " 

"  Don't  say  another  word,  I  have  a  power  of  words,  but 
I'm  not  a  match  for  rou." 

Mr.  Mole  held  up  his  hand  to  deprecate  any  further  attack. 

"  I  guess  you  ain't  in  it  with  me,"  said  Sam,  in  a  tone  of 
contempt.  "  Why,  you  ain't  worth  a  red  cent." 

"  Don't." 

"  I  own  up  that  I  think  more  of  a  buck  nigger  than  I  do 
of  you.  That's  so.  You  snivelling  brother  to  a  trapped 
skunk,  don't  you  say  any  thing  to  this  'coon  again.  I  con- 
clude I'm  some  pumpkins  when  you're  in  the  garden." 


no       JA  CK  II  ARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

Harvey  came  up  with  a  glass  of  champagne. 

"  Dry  up,"  he  said,  "  and  drink  this  glass  of  sparkling.* 

"  He  was  down  on  me  like  a  beaver,  first,"  replied  Sam, 

"  What's  the  odds  ?      He's  old  enough  to  be  your  father." 

"  That's  no  reason  why  I  should  have  my  head  cheeked 
aft." 

'*  Harvey,"  said  Mr.  Mole,  "  I  never  had  such  a  torrent  of 
abuse  before." 

"Why,  you  cantankerous  old  grizzly,  haven't  you  had 
enough  ?  "  asked  Sam, 

"  Yes,  yes,"  cried  Mr.  Mole  ;  "  don't,  for  heaven's  sake 
begin  again." 

"  Shut  up,  then  ;  close  immediately,  if  not  sooner." 

"Take  some  wine,  sir?  "  said  Harvey. 

"Ah  !  wine,"  said  Mole,  brightening,  "good  idea.  I  will 
take  a  glass,  and  many  thanks.  The  abuse  has  made  me 
thirsty,  and  this — this  person " 

"  Would  you  ? "  interrupted  Sam,  threateningly. 

"  My  dear  Mr.  Clear-the-Track,  nothing  was  further  from 
my  intentions  than  to  utter  a  disrespectful  word." 

"That's  right.  I  guess  I'm  cock  of  this  hen-roost,  and 
the  biggest  fish  in  this  swim." 

Nothing  more  was  said. 

Jack's  health  was  drunk  with  musical  honours,  and  then 
Monday's,  for  the  black  deserved  all  the  praise  that  he  re- 
ceived. 

A  pleasanter  evening  had  never  been  passed  since  their 
arrival  in  Naples. 

Young  Jack  showed  his  intelligence  by  asking  a  variety  of 
questions  about  the  brigands. 

"  Show  me  Baiboni,"  he  said  ;  "  will  you,  pa  ? " 

"When  he's  hanged  you  shall  see  him,"  said  Jack. 

"What's  that,  pa?" 

"  Having  a  hempen  collar  on  and  dancing  on  nothing." 

Young  Jack  was  puzzled. 

It  took  old  Jack  nearly  ten  minutes  to  explain  that  mys- 
tery of  civilisation  called  hanging. 

"  I'd  cut  his  head  off,"  said  young  Jack,  with  a  wise  look ; 
"that  better  than  breaking  his  neck." 

"We'll  see  about  it,  young  man,"  answered  Jack,  patting 
his  infant  prodigy  on  the  head- 


\A  CK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGAfrnS.       m 
CHAPTER  LVII. 

A   SURPRISE    FOR   MR.    MOLE. 

THE  next  day  Jack  sat  out  in  the  garden,  and  had  a 
"good  steady  think,"  as  he  called  it. 

Barboni  had  been  roughly  handled. 

Blow  upon  blow  had  fallen  upon  him. 

He  was  somewhere  in  the  mountains,  for  though  he  would 
not  stay  in  the  same  place  where  Monday  had  liberated  his 
master,  he  would  have  to  hide  in  the  fastnesses. 

To  descend  into  the  plains  would  invite  capture  by  the 
soldiers. 

His  band  was  weakened.  It  was  reported  that  several 
men  had  deserted. 

He  had  lost  Barrel,  one  of  his  best  officers. 

So,  altogether,  the  brigand  chief  was  in  a  bad  way. 

Still  he  seemed  as  far  off  as  ever  from  capture. 

Think  as  he  would,  and  as  hard  as  he  could,  Jack  couldn't 
decide  upon  any  plan. 

Emily  begged  and  entreated  him,  with  tears  in  her  eyes, 
to  go  back  to  England  and  rejoin  his  regiment. 

She  stole  up  to  him  while  he  was  sitting  unde/a  shady  tree. 

"  Jack,  dear,"  she  said. 

"  Is  it  you,  my  pet  ? "  he  replied.  "  You  crept  up  like  a 
little  mouse." 

"  So  I  am  a  little  mouse,"  she  answered,  and  you're  a 
great  fierce  cat." 

"  Why  ?  " 

"  You  want  to  pounce  upon  brigands.  I  do  so  wish  you'd 
give  it  up." 

"  I  can't,  darling." 

"  Not  even  to  please  me  ?  " 

"  I'll  do  any  thing  to  please  my  dear  little  wife,"  he  re- 
plied. "  But  you  ask  me  to  do  some  thing  which  would  turn 
the  laugh  against  me  and  all  the  English  here.'' 

"  I  can't  see  it,"  said  Emily,  shaking  her  head. 

"  That's  funny,  when  it's  clear." 

"  Explain  it  to  me,  Jack." 

"  Shall  I  ?  " 

"  Please.     I'm  only  a  silly  little  woman,  and  you're  so 


112       JACK  HARXA WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

brave  and  so  clever,  and  it  seems  to  be  folly  to  stay  here 
after  all  we  have  gone  through." 

"  You  can  go  back  when  you  like  with  the  youngster." 

"  Oh,  no,  I  never  could  leave  you.  My  anxiety  on  youi 
account  would  kill  me." 

"  Pretty,  affectionate  little  darling,"  said  Jack,  smoothing 
her  hair,  as  she  knelt  on  the  grass  by  his  side. 

"Tell  me,  Jack,  why  you  can't  give  up  this  life  ?"  she  in- 
quired. 

"  Simply  because  I  have  pledged  my  word  to  bring  Bar- 
boni  to  justice,  and  my  honour  is  at  stake.  Must  I  rot  keep 
my  word  ? " 

"  I  should  not  like  you  to  break  it" 

"  Spoken  like  my  own  little  Emily,"  he  said  approvingly. 

"  But  Jack,  dear  ?  " 

"  What  ? " 

"  I  have  a  new  fear.  Suppose  Barboni  were  to  steal  our 
child  {  " 

Jack  laughed. 

"  I  should  like  f->  catch  him  trying  it  on,"  he  replied. 
u  Why,  the  scoundrel  Daren't  show  the  tip  of  his  nose  withio 
miles  of  Naples  now. 

"  Not  disguised,  even  ? "  she  asked  earnestly. 

"  I  dop't  think  so.  At  all  events,  there  is  no  danger  of 
that." 

"  It  makes  me  happy  to  hear  you  say  so." 

"  Barboni  will  act  on  the  defensive  in  future,  and  he'll  be 
very  thankful  if  we  let  him  alone,"  said  Jack, 

"  Lady  Barrel  tells  me  that  you  advise  her  to  go  to  Eng- 
land with  Luni  to  prosecute  her  claim  to  the  estate,"  said 
Emily,  after  a  pause. 

"  Yes,  Harvey  has  promised  to  help  her  with  money,  so 
that  she  can  obtain  the  title  and  property." 

"  That  is  kind  of  him  " 

"She'll  pay  him  back  when  she  gets  what  she  has  a  right 
to,  and  this  will  be  a  chance  for  you,  and  Hilda,  and  our 
kid  to  go  back  to  the  foggy  island  also." 

"No,  Jack,  dear,"  answered  Emily,  firmly.  "I  am  de- 
termined n-ot  to  leave  you  " 

"  Really  ? " 

u  Certainly.  If  you  think  your  honour  requires  that  you 
must  hunt  down  Barboni,  I  will  stop  and  help  you  all  I  can, 
however  much  I  may  regret  your  resolution." 


JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.       1 13 

34  I'll  never  leave  the  thief." 

"  Then  it  is  no  use  my  urging  you  any  further." 

"  Not  in  the  least." 

Emily  heaved  a  deep  sigh. 

"  I  am  very  sorry  to  refuse  you  any  thing,  dearest,"  he  re- 
plied, "but  I  should  despise  myself  if  I  didn't  finish  up  the 
work  I  have  in  hand." 

"  Say  no  more,  Jack.     I  won't  be  afraid  if  you're  not." 

"  There  is  nothing  to  be  in  a  funk  about." 

"  I  don't  know.  Some  times  I  have  strange  misgivings. 
But  I  won't  frighten  you  with  my  woman's  nonsense." 

"  When  is  Lady  Barrel  going  ?  " 

"  She  leaves  in  the  steamer  to-day,"  replied  Emily. 

"  What  a  change  for  her  and  that  poor  boy,  Luni,"  said 
Jack  musingly. 

"Is  it  not?" 

"  After  all  her  sufferings  she  deserves  a  little  happiness, 
though  she  will  never  take  any  place  in  society,"  continued 
Jack,  "  after  her  connection  with  the  brigand." 

"All  she  "wants,"  replied  Emily,  "so  she  tells  me,  is  to 
obtain  the  title  for  Luni,  and  the  money,  and  she  means  to 
live  in  strict  seclusion  abroad,  though  I  think  she  is  too 
much  broken  down  to  live  long." 

"  So  do  I,"  answered  Jack.  "  However,  go  and  do  what 
you  can  for  her,  and  make  some  excuse  for  me  not  seeing 
her  off,  as  I  want  to  put  on  my  thinking  cap  again." 

"All  right,  dear,"  said  Emily.     "One  kiss  before  I  go." 

"  Only  one  ?  "  asked  Jack. 

"  I  shall  have  two  if  I  like.  You  owe  me  a  lot  for  }  ein«; 
away  so  long,"  answered  Emily,  pouting  her  lips. 

Jack  kissed  her  half-a-dozen  times,  and  she  tripped  away 
to  see  of  what  use  she  could  be  to  Lady  Barrel  and  Luni, 
though  her  heart  was  heavy  again  at  her  husband's  firm 
determination  not  to  leave  Naples  until  he  had  brought 
Barboni  to  justice. 

She  knew  his  resolute  character. 

She  also  knew  the  cleverness  of  the  brigand,  and  felt  sure 
•nat  he  would  give  them  much  trouble  yet. 

"  Poor  Emmy,"  said  Jack  to  himself.  ''•  It  isn't  a  very 
likely  lookout  for  her,  but  I  must  stick  to  Barboni." 

If  Jack  was  plotting,  so  was  the  brigand. 

Cruelly  beaten  at  all  points,  with  the  murdered  bodies  of 
his  mother  and  his  son  before  his  eyes,  he  plotted. 
8 


H4      JACK  HARKA  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  2RIGANDS. 

The  result  of  his  reflections  will  shortly  be  seen. 

While  Jack  was  in  the  garden,  unsuspicious  of  coming 
evil,  Ligamini  was  in  Naples. 

He  had  come  disguised  as  an  Italian  peasant  selling  fruit. 

His  first  visit  was  to  an  old  clothes  shop,  where  he  pur- 
chased certain  articles  of  ladies'  wearing  apparel. 

The  Jew  who  kept  the  shop  was  a  friend  of  his,  and  being 
well  paid  for  his  second-hand  goods,  assisted  him  all  he  could. 

Bigamini  pu.t  on  a  very  gaudy  dress  over  his  own  clothes, 
and  a  bonnet  of  showy  colours. 

He  shaved  off  all  the  hair  on  his  face. 

He  then  blacked  his  skir.  with  walnut  juice,  to  make  him- 
self the  colour  of  Monday. 

Taking  a  look  at  himself  in  the  glass,  he  thought  he  should 
pass  very  well  for  a  lady  from  Limbi. 

His  plan  was  to  obtain  access  to  Harkaway's  house  in  the 
disguise  of  a  foreign  woman,  because  he  wished  to  pass  as 
Mole's  wife. 

He  had  heard  much  of  Ambonia. 

Mole  declared  that  she  went  down  with  the  ship  when  it 
was  wrecked. 

But  Bigamini  intended  to  swear  that  she  was  saved,  and 
had  come  to  claim  her  husband,  finding  him  out  with  much 
difficulty  and  after  many  days. 

It  would  be  a  surprise  to  Mr.  Mole. 

Bigamini  hated  Mole. 

It  was  not  to  gratify  his  hatred  that  he  determined  to  per- 
sonate his  wife,  but  because  he  wanted  to  get  into  the  house. 

He  had  a  deeply-laid  scheme  to  carry  out. 

Barboni  had  hit  upon  it  after  deliberation,  and  promised 
the  spy  a  rich  reward  if  he  was  successful. 

When  made  up,  Bigamini  made  a  capital  Ambonia. 

He  had  a  squeaking  voice  like  a  woman's,  and  he  could 
act  tolerably  well. 

Having  made  himself  up  to  his  satisfaction,  he  left  the  old 
clothes  shop,  and  started  for  the  house  in  which  the  friends 
were  staying. 

Monday  had  got  rid  of  the  butler,  who  was  put  in  his 
pJace  during  his  absence  on  the  war-path. 

"  Um  soon  give  him  a  dirty  kick  out,"  he  remarked. 

And  he  did. 

The  man  went  without  an  hour's  delay,  and  Monday  was 
reinstalled  in  his  pantry. 


/A  CK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.       1 i  >, 

Mr.  Mole  took  possession  of  the  arm-chair,  as  before. 

It  was  a  very  hot  morning  when  Bigamini  was  carrying  out 
the  orders  of  his  superior. 

Mr.  Mole's  constitution  required  a  good  deal  of  seeing  to. 

He  found  that  iced  champagne  agreed  with  him  remark- 
ably well. 

At  midday  he  was  drinking  this  refreshing  beverage,  and 
smoking  cigarettes  in  the  pantry. 

With  his  legs  stretched  out  on  a  chair,  and  Monday  stand- 
ing near  him,  Mr.  Mole  looked  like  an  Eastern  pasha. 

Clear-the-Track  happened  to  pass  by,  on  his  way  to  the 
garden,  where  Harkaway  was,  and  to  whom  he  wanted  to 
expound  a  speedy  way  of  exterminating  the  brigands. 

He  saw  Mr.  Mole,  and  stopped. 

"  Hi,  there  !  "  he  cried.     "  Is  that  your  usual  form  ?  " 

"  I  do  not  see  that  I  am  under  any  obligation  to  gratify 
your  curiosity,"  answered  Mole. 

"  Don't  you  ? " 

"No." 

"What  does  Harkaway  keep  you  for?" 

"  I  am  his  son's  tutor,"  replied  Mole. 

"  I  shall  call  you  Harkaway's  ornament." 

"His  what?" 

"  His  vanity  or  his  ornament ;  for  I'll  be  jiggered  if  you're 
useful,"  said  Clear-the-Track. 

"  Monday,  kick  that  man  out,  and  I  will  reward  you  hand- 
somely," cried  Mole. 

"  Kick  um  out,  sare  ? "  repeated  Monday,  with  a  grin. 

"  Yes,  do  as  I  tell  you,"  replied  Mr.  Mole. 

"  What  reward  um  give,  sare  ? " 

"  I  am  poor,  but  you  shall  have  a — my  old  palm  hat 
Palmam  qui  meruitferat ;  let  him  who  wins  the  palm  wear  it, 
as  we  say  in  the  classics." 

"  It  would  take  a  pretty  good-sized  nigger  to  kick  me  out," 
said  Clear-the-Track. 

Monday  glared  at  him  savagely 

After  a  little  while,  he  again  spoke. 

"  Me  a  prince,"  he  said. 

u  I'm  sorry  for  the  royal  family  you  belong  to,"  replied 
Sam. 

"  What  um  sorry  for  ?  " 

"  Guess  you'd  better  chalk  your  mug,"  said  Sam. 

*'  Go  out  of  this,"  said  Monday. 


*  1 6 

"  Certainly  not.  I'm  a  guest  of  Mr.  Harvey,  ami  your* 
the  boss's  help." 

*  You  no  right  in  my  pantry." 

*'  Turn  me  out,  then." 

Monday  made  a  rush  at  Clear-the-Track,  who  struck  out, 
but  the  black  ducked  his  head,  seized  the  American  by  the 
left  leg,  and  threw  him  over  his  shoulder  into  the  passage. 

Picking  himself  up,  Clear-the-Track  laughed  and  rubbed 
his  back. 

"  Guess  that's  a  lick,"  he  cried.  "  Where  did  you  learn 
that  chuck,  Sambo  ?  " 

"  Um  name  Monday." 

"Well,  Monday,  Tuesday,  Wed^^sday,  who  taught  you 
that  little  game  ? " 

"  Um  want  to  know  ?  " 

"  I  reckon  I  do,  or  I  shouldn't  ask." 

u  Then  um  better  find  out." 

Monday  was  about  to  close  the  door  when  a  no'*-*1,  of  foot- 
steps was  heard. 

"  Who  come  now !  "  he  asked. 

A  woman  appeared  at  the  door. 

'What  um  want  here  ?  "  cried  Monday. 

*  Don't  you  know  me  ? "  replied  the  woman. 

'  You  black  woman." 

'  Yes ;  I  come  from  Limbi." 

'  Ha  !  that  my  island.    Who  you  want  ?  n 

'  My  husband." 

4 Who  him  be?" 

*'  Mister  Mole.    I  am  Ambonia." 

«'  What ! "  cried  Monday,  "  you  Mist'  Mole's  wife  ?  H*, 
say  you  drowned  at  sea." 

"  I  was  saved  ;  but  for  months  I  have  been  very  ill.  Where 
is  he  ?  They  told  me  he  was  here." 

Mr.  Mole  heard  this  discussion  at  the  door. 

He  got  up,  shaking  with  fear,  and  took  a  cautious  look. 

It  was  enough  for  him. 

Retreating,  he  crawled  under  the  table,  making  frantic 
signs  to  Monday. 

"  Come  in,  mum,"  said  Monday.  "  How  you  leave  'um 
all  in  Limbi  ?  Did  um  want  King  Matabella  back  ?  " 

Monday  certainly  did  not  recognise  Ambonia  in  the  figure 
before  him,  but  then  she  had  spoken  of  a  long  illness,  and 
that  might  have  change^  her  very  much, 


JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS,       if, 

"  I  shan't  talk  about  anything,"  replied  the  pretended  Am- 
bonia.  "  What  I  want  is  my  husband,  and  I  mean  to  have 
him." 

She  walked  in  and  looked  about  her. 

Mr.  Mole  was  nowhere  to  be  seen. 

Turning  to  Clear-the-Track,  she  cried — 

"  Have  you  seen  Mr.  Mole  ?  " 

"That's  a  question,"  replied  Sam. 

Drawing  a  knife,  she  continued — 

"  I  have  black  blood  in  my  veins,  I  will  kill  those  who 
trifle  with  me." 

Sam  had  no  particular  wish  to  Tje  stabbed,  and  he  enjoyed 
a  joke  as  well  as  anybody. 

Besides  which,  he  owed  Mole  a  grudge. 

Pointing  to  the  table,  he  said — 

"  Moles  hide  in  the  dark." 

The  false  Ambonia  took  the  hint. 

Seizing  a  stick,  she  began  poking  under  the  table. 

"  Come  out,"  she  cried.     "  Once  I  was  a  happy  Ambonia 
now  I'm  a  miserable  Mrs.  Mole." 

Groans  proceeded  from  the  region  below  the  table. 

"  I  will  have  my  rights.  SaiAa  Maria  I  as  these  st/an^r-. 
people  say,  I  will  be  revenged." 

There  were  more  pokes  with  the  stick. 

Mr.  Mole  had  a  narrow  escape  of  losing  on?  ey-  ->  ~  fi'.L. 
upper  teeth  were  loosened. 

Getting  up,  he  showed  himself. 

"  What  the  deuce  do  you  mean,  woman?'  h'~  a  :e<_,  rub- 
bing his  back. 

Ambonia  threw  her  arms  around  him  and  held  nim  in  a 
tight  embrace,  as  if  at  sight  of  him  all  her  anger  van- 
ished. 

"  Oh,  Isaac  !  oh,  my  Mole !  "  she  cried,  "  do  I  clasp  thee 
in  my  arms  once  more  ?  " 

"  I  wish  you  wouldn't  clasp  so  tight,"  he  answered.  "  You'll 
have  all  the  breath  out  of  me." 

"  What  happiness  to  meet  again  !  " 

Mr.  Mole  disengaged  himself  from  her  embrace. 

"  I  say,"  he  cried,  "you  talk  very  good  English,  Amby." 

"  Do  I,  dear  ? " 

"  Better  than  you  used  to." 

"  I've  been  learning  for  your  sake,"  she  replied. 

"  It's  very  odd,"  said  Mole,  suspiciously. 


1  iS     JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

Ambonia  clasped  him  again  in  her  arms,  and  gave  him  a 
squeeze  that  a  grizzly  bear  might  have  been  proud  of. 

"  Oh,  you  dear  !  "  she  cried. 

Again  Mr.  Mole  pushed  her  gently  away. 

"  I  say,"  he  cried  again,  "you've  grown  taller." 

"  Fancy,  my  love,"  replied  Ambonia. 

"  You're  not  all  my  fancy  painted  you.  Get  out ;  I  hate 
you,"  said  Mole.  "  Your  absence  has  not  improved  you." 

"  Absence  makes  the  heart  grow  fonder." 

"  Not  in  my  case.     Get  out." 

"  Would  you  insult  your  loving  wife !  Sit  down,"  said 
Ambonia,  giving  him  a  shove  which  sent  him  into  the  arm- 
chair. 

"  Oh,  Lord!  "  cried  Mr.  Mole ;  "oh,  she's  knocked  all  the 
wind  out  of  me." 

Monday's  bell  rang. 

He  went  upstairs,  and  coming  down,  put  some  bottles  and 
glasses  on  a  tray. 

"  Um  young  gentleman  want  um  wine,"  he  said. 

"  Let  me  help  you,"  said  Ambonia. 

She  fussed  about  with  the  glasses,  and  slipped  a  white 
powder  into  each. 

Monday's  eyes  were  very  quick. 

He  detected  the  trick,  sharply  as  it  had  been  played. 

Taking  up  one  glass,  he  poured  some  wine  into  it. 

"You  drink  this,"  he  said. 

"  Me  drink  ?  "  replied  Ambonia. 

"  Yes." 

"  I'm  not  thirsty." 

Seizing  her  by  the  back  of  the  neck,  Monday  forced  the 
wine  down  her  throat,  and  held  her  in  his  powerful  grasp  for 
more  than  a  minute. 

"  Um  got  it  all  ? "  he  asked. 

"  Let  me  go,"  replied  Ambonia. 

"Not  got  it  quite  all;  some  spilt,"  continued  Monday. 

The  pretended  Ambonia  sank  to  the  ground. 

"What  have  you  done  to  my  wife?"  asked  Mr.  Mole. 

"I'm  poisoned;  oh,  dear!  Once  I  was  a  happy  Smiff — I 
mean  Ambonia — and  now  I'm  a  miserable  Big — that  is — oh, 
dear !  oh,  my  !  I've  got  the  gripes  awful  bad — oh,  oh  ! " 

He  rolled  on  the  floor  in  agony. 

At  one  time  he  would  clutch  at  anything  within  his  reach, 
at  the  next  press  his  hands  to  his  stomach  and  groan  dismally. 


JA CK  HA RKA  WA  Y  A  MONG  THE  BRIGANDS.   1 1 9 

Clear-the-Track  had  watched  this  strange  scene  with  silent 
interest. 

Advancing  to  the  table,  he  took  up  one  of  the  glasses. 

Wetting  his  finger,  he  touched  the  powder,  and  tasted  it 
with  his  tongue. 

"Arsenic,  I  guess,"  he  said,  spitting  it  out. 

A  dastardly  attempt  had  been  made  to  poison  the  English- 
men. 

In  the  wretch's  agony  his  wig  came  off. 

"What  is  this?"  exclaimed  Mr.  Mole. 

He  picked  it  up,  and  gazed  curiously  at  the  writhing 
creature. 

"  Why,"  he  said,  "  it's  not  my  wife  at  all." 

"  Eh  ?— what's  that  ? "  said  Monday. 

"  It's  not  Ambonia." 

*  Somebody  play  um  trick?" 

•'  There's  no  doubt  about  that ;  it's  a  man.  Why,  it's — 
it's  Bigamini." 

"  Ha  !  Bigamy  come  here  in  disguise  to  frighten  all,  and 
then  try  to  poison  ?  But  he  get  um  poison  himself.  How 
him  like  it?  "  said  Monday. 

Finding  he  was  discovered,  the  wretched  spy  did  not 
attempt  any  further  concealment. 

He  thought  his  last  hour  had  come. 

"Spare  me,  gentlemen,"  he  cried.  "Oh,  send  fora  doc- 
tor ;  get  a  stomick  pump.  Oh,  Lor' !  do  something ;  I'm  on 
fire.  Oh,  oh  !  " 

"  He  looks  as  if  he'd  been  eating  vinegar  with  a  fork," 
remarked  Sam. 

"  I  think  he  looks  like  a  cat  in  a  dog  kennel  with  his  claws 
cut,"  said  Mr.  Mole. 

"  Do  you  want  to  save  him  ?  "  asked  Sam. 

"  He  is  a  spy  of  the  brigands,"  answered  Mole. 

"  Is  he  to  die  like  this  ? " 

"  Oh,  kind  sir,  save  me — do  something,"  cried  Bigamini, 
writhing  like  an  eel, 

"  Shall  we  hand  him  over  to  the  police  ?  If  so,  he  will  be 
executed,"  said  Mole. 

"  That's  best." 

"  Save  him,  then,  if  you  can." 

"  Right ,  clear  the  track,"  cried  Sam. 

'•'What  um  want,  sare  ?"  asked  Monday. 

•'  Wake  up,  kinky  head/'  continued  Sam.     "  If  we  don't 


120      JACK  HARfCA  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

want  Old  Scratch  to  have  him,  we  must  look  sharp.  Get 
out  salt  and  mustard." 

Sam  poured  some  water  in  a  clean  tumbler,  and  mixed  a 
quantity  of  salt  and  mustard  together. 

This  was  an  emetic. 

He  forced  Bigamini  to  drink  the  mixture,  and  held  his 
head  over  a  bucket,  having  the  satisfaction  of  seeing  him 
throw  up  the  poison. 

Still  the  pain  continued. 

Bigamini's  limbs  became  cold  and  rigid,  while  he  turned 
pale  as  death,  shaking  like  an  aspen,  and  groaning  like  a 
door  in  the  wind  on  a  rusty  hinge. 

In  fact,  he  showed  all  the  symptoms  of  arsenical  poi- 
soning. 

"In  another  quarter  of  an  hour,  he'd  have  been  right  off 
the  handle,  I  calculate,"  said  Sam. 

"  I  must  inform  Harkaway  of  what  has  happened,"  said 
Mr.  Mole. 

He  went  in  search  of  him  for  that  purpose. 

When  Jack  heard  that  Bigamini  had  had  the  audacity  to 
penetrate  into  his  house,  under  the  disguise  of  Ambonia, 
and  attempt  to  poison  them  all,  he  was  highly  indignant. 

At  the  same  time  he  was  much  alarmed. 

It  showed  him  how  sleepless  was  the  enmity  of  Barboni. 

At  a  time  when  the  brigand  might  have  been  expected  to 
be  trying  to  console  himself  for  his  losses,  he  was  in  reality 
trying  how  he  could  injure  his  foes. 

"  This  is  most  providential,"  said  Jack. 

"I  may  say,  Harkaway,"  cried  Mr.  Mole,  "that  it  was  I 
who  by  a  wink  aroused  Monday's  suspicions." 

"  Indeed ! " 

"  Oh,  yes,  I  have  an  eye  like  a  lynx,  and  fancied  that  the 
fellow  was  imposing  on  me." 

"  Will  he  live  ? " 

"  Your  American  friend  says  so." 

"  We  must  put  him  on  a  bed,  and  keep  him  locked  up  in 
a  room  until  he  is  sufficiently  recovered  to  be  handed  over 
to  the  authorities." 

"  It  gave  me  a  turn  at  first,"  said  Mole. 

"  What  did  ?  " 

"  To  think  that  the  wolf  Ambonia  had  come  back  to  tor. 
ment  me,  though  as  I  saw  her  sink  I  could  not  make  it  out," 
replied  Mole. 


JA  CK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.       121 

"It's  clear  you  weren't  born  to  be  drowned,  sir,"  said 
Jack,  smiling.  "You  have  escaped  the  water  too  often." 

"  Do  you  mean  to  imply  that  I  am  born  to  be  hanged, 
Harkaway  ? " 

"No,  I  didn't  say  that." 

"  You  implied  it." 

"  Not  you,  sir.  You're  long  er.ough  already,  and  don't 
want  stretching." 

"That's  what  I  say,"  exclaimed  the  little  coxswain,  who 
had  heard  about  the  attempted  poisoning  from  Clear  the- 
Track,  and  had  come  to  speak  to  Jack  about  it. 

"  I  don't  want  to  be  insutted  by  you,"  said  Mole. 

"  I'll  dry  up,"  replied  Walter. 

"  Harkaway,"  said  Mole,  impressively,  "  am  I  or  am  I  not 
the  learned  professor  to  whom  you  have  entrusted  the  edu 
cation  of  your  child  ? " 

"  Of  course  you  are." 

"  I  am  Professor  Mole,  ot  Oxford  University." 

"Yes,  sir." 

"  And  specially  appointed  tutor  to  Master  Harkaway." 

"Certainly." 

"'  Then  it  is  your  duty  to  uphold  my  position,  respect  my 
authority,  and  not  suffer  me  to  be  turned  into  ridicule  by 
anybody,  and  more  especially  to  prevent  me  from  being  in- 
sulted by  the  low  chaff  of  a  Cambridge  coxswain,  who  never 
won  a  race  in  his  life." 

•'  That's  a  cram,"  said  Walter. 

Mr.  Mole  waved  his  hand. 

"You  are  beneath  my  notice,"  he  said,  "and  I  will  not 
lower  myself  by  wasting  breath  on  such  an  animal." 

"You  pedantic  old  humbug,  you're  tight,"  said  Walter. 

"  Harkaway,  you  hear." 

"  Shut  up,  Walter."  said  Jack. 

"  I  shan't.  What  does  he  mean  by  his  cheek  ?  I've  won 
lots  of  races  for  my  college." 

"  We  know  that." 

"  I'll  have  it  out  of  him,"  continued  Walter. 

A  short  distance  off  there  was  a  small  pond,  in  the  centre 
of  which  rose  a  fountain. 

Gold  and  silver  fish  disported  themselves  in  the  basin. 

The  depth  was  about  four  feet. 

Seizing  Mr.  Mole  suddenly  by  the  collar  of  his  coat  ana 
his  trousers,  he  ran  him  to  the  fountain. 


122     JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  URIGANDS. 

14  Hi  I  help !  hi !  This  is  an  outrage.  Harkaway,  help 
me.  I'll  throw  up  my  post ;  I'll — oh !  " 

The  little  coxswain  uave  him  a  shove,  and  he  fell  into  the 
water  on  his  hands  and  knees,  looking  like  a  big,  awkward 
fish  crawling  on  the  bottom. 

S.un  i-.ime  out  into  the  garden  at  the  time. 

1  L-,  .is  well  as  Walter,  was  an  enemy  of  Mole's,  and  when 
he  saw  the  professor  standing  up,  dripping  wet  and  splutter- 
irlg  the  water  out  of  his  mouth,  he  fairly  roared  with  laughter 

"Oh,  look  at  him,"  he  cried;  "see  him  cutting  his  Jim 
Crow  capers.  Who's  done  this  ?  " 

"  I  did,"  replied  the  little  coxswain,  proudly. 

"  Let's  feel  your  flesh  ;  give  us  your  hand.  Guess  he'll  be 
out  soon,  like  Mount  Vesuvius  on  a  bust." 

Mr.  Mole  did  get  out,  looking  very  damp  and  uncomfort- 
able. 

"  I'll  pay  you  for  this,  my  lad,"  he  said,  shaking  his  fist. 

"  Don't  you  get  excited,"  said  Walter. 

"I  won't  forget  you,  my  boy." 

"You  poverty-stricken  old  Latin  grammar,  I'll  chuck  you 
in  a^ain,"  cried  Walter. 

"  Don't  taunt  me  with  my  poverty,"  replied  Mr.  Mole,  "  or 
I'll  let  out." 

"  I  don't  care." 

"  What  are  you  but  a  penniless  adventurer  ?  "  continued 
Mole. 

"  I  know  I'm  not  rich." 

44 Have  you  a  trade  by  which  you  can  gain  your  living? " 

44  I'm  a  gentleman." 

44  Have  you  a  profession  ?  " 

44  No  ;  I  shall  have  some  day." 

"Don't  you  live  here  at  Harvey's  and  Hark  a  way's  ex- 
pense ? 

"  I  am  young  Harkaway's  tutor,"  continued  Mole,  with 
dignity.  "  I  don't  hang  on  and  sponge  on  my  friends,  with 
a  view  to  marrying  an  heiress." 

"  What  do  you  mean  ?  "  asked  the  little  coxswain,  turning 
red. 

"  You  may  well  blush,  you  idle  young  scamp.  You  hope 
to  marry  Miss  Cockles,  with  her  six  thousand  a  \  ~f  and 
then  you  think  you  can  live  on  her  and  never  do  a  stroke  of 
honest  work  all  your  life." 

The  coxswain  was  about  to  rosh  on  Mr.  Mole  again 


JA  CK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMOTri*  TIfE  BRIGANDS.       1 23 

But  Jack  laid  his  powerful  hand  on  his  shoulder,  and 
restrained  him. 

"Don't  do  any  more,"  he  said. 
"  Isn't  he  an  insulting  old  beast?  " 
"  You  began  it." 
"Ill » 

"  No,  you  won't ;  be  guided  by  me,  please,"  interrupted 
Jack,  in  his  quiet,  firm  way. 

"  It's  rather  hard." 

"  Whatever  his  faults  are,  Mr.  Mole  is  my  guest,  and  I'l! 
have  no  more  of  this." 

"  Thank  you,  Harkaway,"  said  Mr.  Mole ;  "  you're  a  gen. 
tleman.  I  wish  I  could  say  as  much  for  some  of  youi 
friends." 

"  Guess  he's  given  you  Coko,"  said  Sam. 

Mr.  Mole  proceeded  to  place  himself  in  a  sunny  spot. 

"  Harkaway,"  he  said. 

"Yes,  sir." 

"  I  am  going  to  lie  on  my  face  and  dry  my  back.  Will  yon 
send  Monday  out  presently  to  turn  me  ?  " 

"  Yes,  sir." 

"  And  tell  him  to  bring  my  cask,  will  you  ?  I've  got  the 
cramp  in  the  stomach." 

Jack  promised  to  do  so,  and,  taking  the  arms  of  Sam  and 
Walter,  led  them  into  the  house. 

Bigamini  was  better,  but  really  was,  or  pretended  to  be 
so  weak  that  he  could  not  answer  any  questions  that  were 
put  to  him. 

He  was  placed  in  a  room  on  the  ground  floor,  covered  over 
with  a  blanket,  and  locked  up. 

It  was  considered  a  good  capture. 

Bigamini  had  been  a  most  useful  spy  of  the  brigand. 

He  had  done  him  much  excellent  service. 

Consequently,  to  frustrate  his  designs,  capture  him,  and 
ultimately  han-1.  him  over  to  the  authorities,  was  to  inflict 
another  blow  on  Barboni. 

*'  We've  scored  over  the  brigand  again,"  said  Jack,  much 
pleased. 

That  General  Cialdini  would  order  the  spy  to  be  hanged 
without  trial  was  more  than  probable. 

Even  if  he  had  to  go  through  the  formality  of  a  trial,  his 
doom  was  certain. 

He  would  shortly  die  upon  the  scaffold. 


124      JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

But  Bigamini  was  not  dead  yet. 

No  sooner  was  the  door  shut  upon  him,  and  the  bolt  shot 
back  in  the  lock,  than  he  sat  up  in  the  bed. 

He  looked  curiously  around  him. 

Then  he  uttered  a  feeble  chuckle. 

"  I'm  not  so  bad,  since  I  had  that  emetic,  as  they  think," 
he  muttered. 

He  took  another  quiet  look  round  the  room. 

"  I've  got  out  of  stronger  cribs  than  this,"  he  added. 


CHAPTER.  LVIII. 

THE  EXECUTION. 

THE  beautiful  and  accomplished  Contessa  di  Malafedi 
had  been  tried  as  an  accomplice  of  Barboni. 

Among  her  papers  captured  by  the  police  were  incontest- 
able proofs  that  she  was  in  league  with  the  brigand. 

She  had  received  large  sums  as  her  reward. 

It  was  proved  that  she  gave  the  Prince  di  Villanova  all 
the  help  she  could,  well  knowing  that  he  was  Barboni  the 
brigand. 

She  had  turned  her  palazzo  into  a  gambling  saloon. 

False  dice  and  marked  cards  were  used. 

The  nobility  of  Naples,  as  well  as  rich  foreigners,  had  been 
plundered  in  her  rooms. 

All  her  friends  fell  away  from  her  now  that  the  mask  was 
torn  from  her  face. 

She  was  found  guilty. 

The  sentence  passed  upon  her  was  that  she  should  be  pub- 
licly executed. 

Her  death  was  to  be  a  disgraceful  one. 

She  was  to  be  hanged. 

The  execution  was  to  take  place  at  six  o'clock  on  the  day 
on  which  Bigamini's  plot  had  failed. 

Walter  Campbell  had  made  up  his  mind  to  go  and  wit- 
ness it. 

"  Shall  you  go  ?  "  he  asked  Jack. 

"  I  think  not,"  replied  Jack. 

"  There  will  be  lots  of  time.  We  don't  dine  till  eight,  and 
all  Naples  will  be  there." 


JACK  HARKA  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.       125 

"  Don't  go,  Jack  dear,"  said  Emily.  "  I  feel  for  the  poor 
thing." 

"  I  don't,"  replied  Jack. 

"  We  were  her  friends  once." 

"  But  we  didn't  know  what  a  traitress  she  was." 

"  Harvey  shan't  go,"  said  Hilda,  who  had  a  will  of  her 
own,  and  occasionally  let  her  husband  know  it. 

"Won't  you  go,  Dick?"  said  Jack,  mischievously. 

"I'm  under  orders.  Didn;t  you  hear?"  replied  Harvey. 
"  Besides,  I  must  say  frankly,  that,  though  I  should  like  to 
see  Barboni  make  his  exit,  I  don't  care  about  looking  on 
while  a  woman  is  being  shamefully  and  cruelly  sent  out  of 
the  world." 

"  She  deserves  it,"  said  Walter. 

"  Granted." 

"  I  think,"  observed  Lily  Cockles,  in  her  mild  way,  "  that 
Mr.  Campbell  would  be  better  at  home." 

He  went  up  to  her. 

"  Don't  you  wish  me  to  go,"  he  asked,  softly. 

"  I  would  not  dictate  to  you,  dear,"  she  answered,  "  be- 
cause you  know  that  I  have  promised  to  be  your  wife  when 
all  these  troubles  are  over." 

"  That's  a  secret,  though,  at  present,"  said  the  little  cox- 
swain. 

"  Yes.  I  have  not  told  anybody.  Still  I  feel  for  the  poor 
creature,  as  Emily  says." 

"  I  can't  do  her  any  harm  by  going  to  see." 

"  Go  if  you  like." 

"  I'll  tell  you  fellows  why  I  want  to  go,"  exclaimed  Walter, 
lordly. 

"  Why  ? "  asked  Jack. 

"  I  was  at  the  Cafe'  di  Europa  to-day,  and  I  heard  several 
Italian  gentlemen  making  bets  that  Barboni  would  rescue 
her." 

"What?" 

"  That  Barboni  would  attempt  a  rescue." 

"Nonsense." 

"  It  may  be  ridiculous,  but  I  only  mention  what  I  heard 
It  was  a  common  report,"  replied  Walter. 

"Wall,"  said  Clear-the-Track,"  I  guess  I've  got  no  gal  to 
keep  me  from  going  to  see  the  fun.  I've  come  to  Europe  tt 
see  what  they  do  in  the  old  world,  and  I'm  on  for  this  danc- 
ing job." 


126      JACK  HARKA  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

"  Will  you  come  with  me  ? "  asked  Walter. 

"  Will  a  live  nigger  eat  apple  squash,  or  lie  in  the  sun,  or 
drink  rum  ?  " 

"  That's  a  bargain,  then,  I've  found  a  pal." 

"  Guess  you're  right  this  journey,"  answered  Sam. 

Neither  Emily  nor  Hilda  would  allow  their  husbands  to 
^o  to  the  execution. 

Consequently  Walter  and  Sam  determined  to  go  together. 

Mr.  Mole  had  dried  himself  in  the  sun,  and  having  forti- 
fied himself  with  some  whisky  out  of  his  cask,  went  to  sleep- 
He  woke  up  with  a  headache  and  went  upstairs. 

"  Ah,  it  is  nice  and  cool  here,"  he  said.  Harkaway,  I  see 
some  iced  champagne.  May  I  help  myself?  " 

"  Certainly." 

"  I  have  had  nothing  to-day." 

"  Nothing,  sir." 

"  Not  a  drop  of  any  thing  has  passed  my  lips.  Ah,  Mr. 
Campbell — Mr.  Clear-the-Track — odd  name  that — do  we  meet 
as  friends  ? " 

"  I've  nothing  new  against  you,"  replied  Sam. 

"  And  I  rubbed  off  old  scores  this  morning,"  answered 
Walter. 

"That  is  right.  Never  bear  malice.  Capital  wine  this. 
Where  are  you  off  to,  may  I  ask  ? " 

"  To  see  the  execution." 

"  Whose  ? " 

"  That  of  the  contessa." 

"  Indeed  ?  I  heard  something  about  it ;  but  such  spectacles 
are  not  to  my  taste.  I  will  stay  at  home,"  said  Mr.  Mole. 

The  little  coxswain  and  Sam   departed  together. 

They  found  a  large  crowd  wending  its  way  to  the  plaza  in 
\ihich  the  tragedy  was  to  take  place. 

Pushing  through  the  throng,  they  came  to  a  small  res- 
vaurant  and  wine  shop. 

"  First  floor  to  let  for  the  execution.  Private  room.  One 
hundred  ducats," 

This  placard  met  their  gaze. 

4  Cheap  at  the  price,"  said  Clear-the-Track. 
Yes." 

Shall  we  take  it  ?  " 
I  haven't  the  coin,"  replied  Walter. 

That's  nothing.  I've  got  lots.  You  never  saw  an  American 
travel  without  money.  My  father  made  a  pile  in  shoddy 


JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.        127 

during  the  war,  and  I've  done  something  speculating  in  gold 
Well,  that's  the  place." 

"  We  shall  be  out  of  the  crowd,"  said  Walter. 

"  I'll  pay.     Clear  the  track,  there." 

Sam  pus  lied  his  way  to  the  door,  and  taking  some  notes 
from  his  pe-cket,  paid  for  the  room. 

They  ascended  the  stairs,  called  for  wine,  and  lighted 
their  cigars. 

The  view  was  excellent. 

They  could  see  the  scaffold  erected  in  the  centre  of  the 
square,  as  well  as  the  gloomy  walls  of  the  prison  from  which 
the  contessa  was  to  emerge. 

Out  of  the  surging  throng,  they  could  see  every  thing 
without  being  jostled  and  pushed  about. 

"  Good  quarters,"  said  Walter. 

"  Very,"  said  Sam. 

A  double  row  of  troops  surrounded  the  scaffold,  and  at 
each  corner  of  the  plaza  was  a  small  force  of  horse  soldiers. 

The  Englishmen  remarked  a  number  of  men  in  the 
crowd  who  wore  slouched  hats  and  long,  thick  cloaks. 

They  were  standing  in  threes  and  fours. 

A  tall  man  went  from  one  knot  to  another,  and  spoke  a 
few  words  earnestly  as  if  giving  instructions. 

"  Those  fellows  look  deucedly  like  brigands,"  exclaimed 
Walter. 

"  Well,"  replied  Sam,  "I  don't  know  that  you're  far  wrong." 

"  Barboni's  a  daring  fellow  if  he  means  to  try  a  rescue." 

"  More  wonderful  things  than  that  have  happened,  I 
reckon." 

"  Shall  you  interfere  if  lie  does  ?'* 

"  Not  I,'"  replied  Sam, 

"  It  isn't  our  business,"  said  Walter. 

A  bell  began  to  toll  solemnly. 

The  gates  of  the  prison  opened,  and  a  part]  set  out  on  the 
vay  to  the  scaffold. 

A  lane  was  formed  by  the  efforts  of  police  and  troops,who 
kept  the  people  back. 

No  curses  or  angry  cries  were  heard. 

The  mob  seemed  to  sympathise  with  the  culprit. 

On  the  scaffold  stood  the  executioner. 

In  fron!;  of  the  procession  came  a  priest  carrying  a   huge 

vss. 

him  were  six  priests  praying. 


128      JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

Then  came  twelve  soldiers. 
After  them  walked  the  prisoner. 

She  was  clad  wholly  in  white,  wearing  a  loose  robe  and  her 
head  and  feet  were  bare. 

On  each  side  of  her  walked  a  priest  holding  a  crucifix,  and 
whispering  the  consolations  of  the  church. 

Suddenly  the  priest  in  advance  began  to  chant  the  "Miserere." 
It  sounded  like  a  dirge  for  the  dead. 
At  intervals  the  bell  tolled. 

The  contessa's  eyes  were  red  with  weeping,  but  she  held  up 
her  head  bravely  and  flashed  defiance  at  the  crowd. 
Her  long  black  hair  streamed  over  her  shoulders. 
Behind  her  came  more  soldiers. 

In  their  rear  was  another    body  of  priests,  and  last  of  al 
came  several  prison  officials. 

The  contessa  cast  her  eyes  anxiously  from,  time  to  time  round 
the  square,  as  if  looking  for  someone. 

From  the  cafe  where  the  Englishmen  had  taken  up  their 
position,  she  saw  a  handkerchief  nutter. 
Was  it  a  signal? 
Walter  Campbell  saw  it  too. 
''I  say,"  he  exclaimed. 
"What?"  asked  Sam. 

"Did  you  see  that  white  flag  fluttering  from  the  window  of 
the  next  room?" 

"Yes,  what  of  it?" 

"I  don't  know.     It's  odd.     How  well  the  contessa  looks! 
Isn't  she  beautiful?" 

"I  guess  she's  too  good  to  kill,"  said  Sam. 
Suddenly  there  was  a  great  swaying  of  the  crowd. 
The  men  in  slouched  hats  whom  Walter  had  noticed  made 
a  rush  upon  the  procession. 

Fierce  oaths  and  bitter  cries  were  heard. 
Shots  were  fired  and  knives  used  freely. 
The  line  of  police  and  soldiers  was  broken  through. 
All  at  once  a  thick  cloak  was  thrown  over  the  contessa, 
and  she  disappeared  in  the  crowd. 
Still  the  fighting  went  on. 
The  soldiers  did  not  know  what  to  do. 
If  they  fired  on  the  crowd,  they  would  ki-U  -nnocent  people. 
"Look,  look!"  exclaimed  Walter,  excitedly. 
A  man  on  horseback,    at    the    northern    extremity    of    the 


JACK  HARKA  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.       129 

crowd,  was  seen  to  snatch  a  burden  from  the  hands  of  two 
men. 

He  placed  it  on  his  saddle  in  front  of  him. 

Then  a  loud  voice  was  heard. 

It  rang  through  the  square  and  found  an  echo  in  the 
avails  of  the  houses. 

"Vi  saluta  Barboni !  " 

It  was  the  proud  cry  of  the  brigand  chief. 

Away  went  the  horse  and  its  rider  with  his  burden. 

Sparks  flew  from  the  stones  beneath  the  feet  of  the  gallant 
ste^d. 

I»  vain  were  shots  fired  after  him.  Fruitless  were  the 
efforts  of  the  cavalry  to  escape  from  the  crowd  and  pursue 
the  robber. 

He  was  off  like  the  arrow  from  the  bow. 

Gone  from  the  sight  of  the  heaving,  panting,  surging  mul- 
titude like  a  flash  of  lightning. 

And  with  him  went  the  prisoner. 

The  cloaked  burden  he  carried  with  him  was  the  Contessa 
cli  Malafedi, 

Barboni  ntver  forgave  an  enemy. 

But  at  the  same  time  he  never  deserted  a  friend. 

There  was  a  great  commotion  in  the  crowd. 

The  soldiers  were  striking  right  and  left. 

With  cries  of  rage  the  mob  scattered  and  fled. 

This  gave  the  cavalry  room  to  act. 

"  But  it  was  too  late. 

"  Bravo !  "  cried  the  little  coxswain. 

"  By  George  !  that  Barboni's  a  plucky  fellow." 

"May  I  have  snakes  in  my  boots,  and  be  whipped  by  a 
nigger,  if  ever  saw  anything  like  it,"  said  Sam. 

"  He  cleared  the  track,  as  you  say." 

"Guess  he  did  that  fine — rather." 

The  slouched  hats  men  disappeared  with  the  people. 

It  was  with  some  disappointment  that  the  Italians  sep- 
arated, and  sought  their  favourite  cafes  or  their  homes. 

They  had  been  cheated  out  of  the  execution. 

Barboni  had  rescued  his  friend  and  accomplice,  the  Con' 
tessa  di  Ma^.fedi,  and  soon  they  would  be  sheltered  in  the 
bosom  of  the  everlasting  hills. 

Those  among  the  crowd  who  were  injured  by  the  soldiers, 
or  trodden  on  by  the  horses  when  the  cavalry  rode  the  peo- 
ple down,  were  taken  to  the  hospital. 


130      JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

Soon  the  square  was  deserted. 

Only  a  patrol  of  soldiers  remained. 

Walter  and  Sam  returned  to  the  Strada  di  Toledo. 

"Well,"  said  Jack,  "you're  just  in  time  for  dinner,  if  the 
horrid  sight  you  have  witnessed  has  not  taken  away  your 
appetites." 

"  They  don't  deserve  any  dinner,"  remarked  Emily 

"  I  shall  never  like  them  again,"  observed  Hild^  with  a 
shudder. 

"  What  are  you  storming  at  ?  "  asked  Walter. 

"  Why,  you  ought  to  know.  You've  been  to  see  that  pool 
creature  killed." 

"  We  haven't  seen  any  thing  of  the  sort." 

"  Did  you  not  go  ?  " 

"  Yes." 

"  Then  you  must  have  seen  it." 

'There  is  no  '  must '  about  it,"  replied  Walter. 

'  Don't  mystify  me,"  said  Jack.     "  How  did  she  die?  " 

'  She  didn't  die." 

'  Eh  ? " 

'Barboni  rescued  her." 

'The — I  mean — confound  it!     How  did  that  happen?5' 
cried  Jack. 

Walter  related  all  that  had  occurred,  to  the  great  aston- 
ishment of  his  hearers. 

"  I  never  heard  such  a  thing,"  said  Jack. 

"  Nor  I,"  replied  Harvey. 

"  I  thought  we  had  cut  his  claws,  and  he  is  as  game  as 
ever." 

"  Well,"  said  Emily,  "  she  deserves  to  be  punished,  but 
I'm  not  sorry  she  has  got  off,  poor  thing." 

"  Nor  I,"  replied  Harvey. 

"  You  women  are  always  tender-hearted,"  replied  Jack 
"  For  my  part,  I'd  kill  everyone  who  was  in  the  slightest 
degree  connected  with  that  scoundrel  Barboni." 

"  I  agree  with  Emily,"  said  Hilda.  "  The  contessa  has 
suffered  enough." 

"  I  don't  think  we  ought  to  kill  any  thing,"  remarked 
Lily. 

"  I'm  knocked  into  a  three-cornered  hat "  said  Jack 
"  The  devil  must  help  Barboni." 

Monday  appeared  at  the  door. 

"  Dinner  on  um  table,"  he  said. 


JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.       13  T 

The  ladies  and  gentlemen  paired  off,  and  the  vrhole  party 
descended  to  the  dining-room. 


CHAPTER  LIX. 

YOUNG  JACK  DISAPPEARS. 

DURING  dinner  nothing  was  talked  of  but  the  escape  of 
the  contessa. 

When  the  meal  was  over,  the  four  gentlemen  proceeded 
to  the  Card  di  Europa,  where,  they  were  accustomed  to  meet 
the  'elite  of  Neapolitan  society. 

Here  they  would  be  sure  to  obtain  the  opinions  of  the 
leaders  of  society. 

No  one  seemed  to  regret  the  contessa's  escape. 

Lately,  Barboni  had  fallen  in  public  estimation. 

But  this  grand  affair  raised  him  again  to  the  position  of 
a  hero. 

While  Jack  was  sipping  his  iced  lemonade  and  listening 
to  the  gossip  of  the  cafd,  events  were  taking  place  in  his 
house  which  were  calculated  to  startle  him  on  his  return. 

Towards  evening,  Bigamini  had  recovered  from  the  effects 
of  the  poison. 

He  was  weak,  but  the  pain  had  subsided. 

According  to  orders,  Monday  visited  him  every  half  hour. 

When  Bigamini  heard  him  coming,  he  pretended  to  groan 
and  be  in  great  pain. 

"  Um  laugh  t'other  side  of  urn  mouth,  now,"  said  Monday, 
grinning. 

At  nine  o'clock,  Bigamini  asked  for  some  brandy  and 
water,  and  a  slice  of  bread. 

This  Monday  supplied  him  with. 

"  You're  very  kind  to  me,  Mr.  Monday,"  said  Bigam;ni 
humbly. 

"  Um  like  to  do  what's  right,"  answered  Monday. 

"  It's  more  than  I  deserve." 

"  That's  true  enough." 

"I'm  a  wicked  wretch.  You  don't  know  how  bad  I  am, 
Mr.  Monday." 

"  Um  make  pretty  good  guess." 

"  I've  committed  bigamy,  and  even  murder.    Ah,  it  \,%&-  uT, 


132      JACK  HARKAWAY  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

unlucky  hour  when  I  left  my  wife,  and  came  over  here  to 
turn  brigand." 

"  Soon  be  all  over,"  said  Monday,  jerking  his  head  on  one 
side  with  pantomimic  action,  to  indicate  that  he  would 
speedily  be  hanged. 

"  Well,"  replied  Eigamini,  with  a  sigh  of  resignation,  "  I 
deserve  it." 

"  Why  you  kill  poor  witch  ?  Why  you  try  poison  people  ?  " 
asked  Monday. 

"  It's  all  Barboni's  fault." 

"Is  it?" 

"  Yes,"  said  Bigamini,  with  a  shake  of  the  head.  "  He 
tells  me  to  do  certain  things,  and  if  I  refused,  he  would  kill 
me." 

"  Indeed  ? " 

"Oh,  it's  a  fearful  thing  to  be  a  brigand." 

"  Um  want  any  more  brandy  ?  "  asked  Monday,  thrown  cuT 
his  guard  by  the  little  man's  submissive  manner. 

"  If  I  may  tax  your  good  nature  so  far,  I  should  esteem  it 
a  favour  to  have  another  glass." 

"Very  well." 

"  It  comforts  my  stomach  after  the  poison." 

"All  urn  own  fault." 

"  I  know  it.  Don't  overwhelm  me  with  reproaches,  Mi. 
Monday." 

Bigamini  munched  the  bread,  and  Monday  gave  him  some 
more  spirit  from  a  bottle  which  he  held  in  his  hand. 

Presently  Bigamini  said — 

"  What  do  you  think  they  will  do  with  me,  sir  ? " 

"  Give  you  up  to-morrow." 

"  To  whom  ?  " 

"  Um  police,  I  suppose.  Then  um  be  tried  for  being  a 
brigand,  and  trying  to  poison." 

"  It  will  soon  be  over.  Ah,  well,  how  different  my  fate 
might  have  been.  Mr.  Monday,  take  my  advice." 

"  What  that  ?  " 

"Take  warning  from  me,  and  beware  of  the  first  false  step. 
If  I  had  never  been  a  wicked  Smiffins,  I  should  not  have  be- 
come a  miserable  Bigamini." 

"That  so." 

"And  if  I'd  never  been  a  miserable  Bigamini,  I  should 
not  now  be  a  condemned  brigand." 

"  Honesty  um  best  policy,"  said  Monday. 


fACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.       t$$ 

"  Oh,  yes.  How  the  lessons  of  my  childhood  come  back 
to  me  !  "  said  Bigamin',  clasping  his  hands  in  mock  humility. 
"  How  I  call  to  mind  ihe  simple  prayers  I  murmured  at  my 
mother's  knee  !  " 

He  covered  his  face  with  his  hands  and  wept. 

The  tears  streamed  down  his  cheeks. 

"  Don't  urn  cry,"  said  Monday.  "  Every  brave  man  ought 
to  be  able  to  die." 

"  I'm  not  a  brave  man,  kind  Mr.  Monday." 

"  Have  drop  more  of  um  brandy,  and  then  I  lock  um  for 
um  night." 

"  No  more,  thank  you  kindly.  I  wish  to  spend  the  night 
in  looking  back  on  my  past  life." 

"  Um  heard  the  news  ?  "  asked  Monday. 

"What  news?  Do  you  mean  about  the  contessa?  Has 
Barboni  done  it,  eh  ?  Quick,  speak,  man  !  "  cried  Bigamini. 

He  threw  off  his  sentimental,  whining  manner,  and  evinced 
real  excitement. 

"  Yes,  he  am  rescue  um  contessa." 

"  Bravo !  Barboni  can  do  it.  Hurrah !  We're  in  it 
yet ! "  cried  Bigamini,  getting  up,  and  dancing  about  the 
floor. 

Monday  stared  at  him  in  amazement. 

"  I  say,"  he  said,    "  um  not  dead  yet." 

"  No,  nor  don't  mean  to  be,"  replied  Bigamini. 

As  he  spoke,  he  drew  from  the  sleeve  of  his  coat  an  iron 
bar. 

This  he  had  torn  from  the  bottom  of  the  bedstead,  and 
concealed  for  use  when  the  opportunity  offered. 

Monday  shrank  back. 

He  was  unarmed. 

Bigamini  fell  upon  him  with  a  suddenness  which  took  him 
completely  by  surprise. 

The  bar  descended  on  his  head. 

He  staggered  and  sank  down  with  an  inarticulate  mur- 
mur. 

"  That's  a  topper  for  you,  my  black  beauty,"  cried  Biga 
mini. 

Monday  lay  still  and  motionless. 

His  head  was  broken,  and  he  was  stunned. 

For  a  moment  Bigamini  hesitated  whether  or  not  he  should 
kill  him  outright. 

"  What's  the  use  ? "  he  muttered.     "  He's  quiet  enough. 


134    TACK  HARK  AW  AY  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

If  I  kill  him,  it  will  only  make  them  more  savage  against  me, 
if  I  should  fall  into  their  hands  again." 

The  spy  had  his  own  clothes  on  under  the  feminine  gar- 
ments he  had  donned  to  represent  Ambonia. 

Slipping  these  off,  he  was  once  more  Bigamini,  the  spy. 

Grasping  the  bar  of  iron,  so  as  to  be  able  to  attack  any  one 
who  might  impede  his  progress,  he  quitted  the  chamber. 

The  key  was  in  the  lock. 

He  turned  it,  and  taking  it  out,  put  it  in  his  pocket. 

Having  been  in  the  house  several  times,  he  knew  his  way  about 
pretty  well. 

Stealing  along  the  passage,  he  peeped  in  at  the  servants' 
hall. 

The  nurses  were  at  supper. 

Consequently  the  nursery  was  left  unguarded. 

Creeping  up  the  stairs,  he  paused  a  moment  at  the  open 
door  of  the  drawing-room. 

Emily  was  at  the  piano.  She  was  playing  and  singing  a 
plaintive  song. 

Bigamini  heard  the  words — 

"And  my  darling,  though  absent,  is  thinking  of  me." 

"He'll  think  of  me  when  he  comes  back,"  he  muttered. 

Lily  and  Hilda  were  talking  together. 

Mr.  Mole  had  gone  to  sleep  in  the  armchair,  with  a  po«ket- 
handkerchief  over  his  face  to  keep  off  the  flies. 

Going  up  another  flight  of  staiss,  Bigamini  came  to  the 
nursery. 

A  lamp  was  burning  on  the  table. 

In  a  small  cot,  young  Jack  was  fast  asleep. 

From  his  pocket  Bigamini  took  a  rag  steeped  in  chloro- 
form. 

This  he  laid  over  the  face  of  the  sleeping  boy. 

With  his  heart  beating  quickly,  he  waited  for  the  space  of 
a  minute. 

Then  the  drug  had  done  its  work. 

Young  Jack  Harkaway  would  make  no  sound  now. 
"You're  a  settled  member,"  said  Bigamini,  with  a  diabol- 
ical grin. 

He  wrapped  the  young  gentleman  up  in  the  quilt,  and  taking 
him  in  his  arms,  quitted  the  nursery. 

No  one  heard  him  descend  the  stairs. 


JACK  HA  RKA  WAY  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.       135 

The  servants  being  at  supper,  the  gentlemen  out,  and 
Monday  laid  by  the  heels  with  a  broken  head,  there  was  no- 
body to  stop  him. 

He  gained  the  street. 

Out  he  ran  into  the  darkness.  On,  on,  until  the  limits  of 
the  city  were  passed. 

On  the  Pompeii  road  a  carriage  and  pair  was  waiting. 

Near  it  a  man  with  one  arm  was  lounging. 

"You've  been  long  enough,"  he  exclaimed. 

"  Pardon,  Signer  Hunstoni,"  replied  Bigamini.  "  It  is  a 
chance  that  I  am  here  at  all." 

"  How's  that  ? " 

"I  got  nabbed." 

"  It's  all  right  now,  though  ?  '• 

"  Yes." 

"  Have  you  got  the  kid?" 

Bigamini  pointed  to  the  burden  he  held  in  his  arms. 

"Jump  in  quick,"  said  Hunston.  "  The  soldiers  are  about 
every  where,  and  it's  not  safe  to  linger." 

"  I've  heard  the  news,  signor." 

"  Don't  stand  jabbering  there.  Jump  in,  I  tell  you,  or  I 
shall  have  to  help  you." 

Bigamini  entered  the  carriage. 

Hunston  took  a  seat  by  his  side,  the  coachman  cracked 
his  whip,  and  the  carriage  rolled  off  at  a  rapid  pace  towards 
the  Volturno. 

Lighting  a  cigar,  Hunston  offered  one  to  Bigamini. 

"  I'd  rather  have  a  drop  of  something  to  drink,"  said  the 
latter. 

"  Why  ?  " 

"  I'm  not  strong  enough  to  smoke,  but  I'd  better  tell  you 
what  has  happened." 

"  Fire  away." 

Bigamini  related  the  adventure,  and  Hunston,  having 
compassion  upon  him,  handed  him  his  flask. 

"  I  wish  you'd  poisoned  the  lot,"  he  said.  "  But  you 
haven't  done  badly.  We  can  hit  Harkaway  through  his 
child." 

"  Is  it  true,  signor,"  asked  Bigamini,  "  that  the  contessa  is 
free  ? " 

"  Yes,  we  managed  that  very  well.  It  was  a  regular  sur- 
prise for  the  soldiers." 

"  Is  she  with  the  master  ?  " 


136      JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGAN&Sl. 

"Of  course.  Don't  you  know  that  the  Contessa  Di  Mala- 
fedi  is  Barboni's  wife  ?  " 

"  Never  ! " 

"  She  is." 

"  Who'd  have  thought  it  ?  "  said  Bigamini. 

"  She's  been  his  wife  this  ever  so  long,  and  that's  why  she 
helped  him  and  us  so  often." 

"  Barboni  can  do  it  when  he  likes,"  said  Bigamini,  in  a 
tone  of  admiration. 

"This  is  the  biggest  thing  he  has  done  yet,  but  he  swore 
he  would  not  desert  her.  We  had  all  sworn  to  die  rather 
than  leave  her  in  the  lurch." 

"  Did  we  lose  any  men  ?  " 

"  Only  two.  Lots  of  townspeople  were  shot  and  bayoneted, 
but  I  drew  off  our  fellows  directly  we  had  completed  the 
surprise,"  answered  Hunston. 

"I'm  glad  they  didn't  hang  her,  poor  lady,"  said  Big- 
amini. "  I've  got  a  horror  of  being  hanged." 

"  So  have  I.     Don't  talk  about  it,"  said  Hunston. 

Bigamini  uncovered  the  child's  face,  and  the  moonlight 
played  upon  the  quiescent  features. 

"  By  Jove  !  isn't  he  like  Harkaway  ?  "  exclaimed  Hunston. 

"  Yes,"  replied  Bigamini.     "  He  is." 

"  He's  the  image  of  the  old  boy.  I'd  swear  that  was  Jack's 
son  among  a  thousand." 

"  Wonder  how  he'll  look  without  his  ears,"  said  Bigamini 
with  a  grin. 

"  Don't  you  dare  to  grin  in  that  familiar  manner  wher 
you're  with  me,"  exclaimed  Hunston,  "or  I'll  put  a  bullet 
into  your  ugly  carcase." 

"  No,  sir,"  replied  Bigamini,  submissively.  "  If  orgot  for 
the  moment  that  you  were  our  lieutenant." 

"  Bear  it  in  mind,  then." 

"  Yes,  sir  ;  I'm  only  a  miserable  Bigamini.  Once  I  was  a 
happy  Smiff " 

Hunston  gave  him  a  blow  with  his  fist,  which  caused  his 
teeth  to  chatter  and  made  his  mouth  bleed. 

"  Will  you  try  that  cant  on  with  me  ? "  he  exclaimed. 

Bigamini  wiped  his  lips  with  the  back  of  his  hand,  and 
sinking  into  a  corner,  rocked  the  child  and  made  no  answer. 

But  his  eyes  glared  in  the  semi-darkness  like  live  coals. 

If  he  had  dared  he  would  have  stuck  a  knife  into  Hun- 
ston, he  hated  him  so. 


JA  CK  HA  RKA  WAY  A  MONO  THE  BRIGAND*.       1 3  7 

As  for  Hunston,  he  kept  his  hand  on  his  pistol,  as  he 
knew  the  treacherous  nature  of  the  spy,  and  smoked  his 
cigar  in  silence,  while  the  carriage  was  being  driven  towards 
its  destination. 

Young  Jack  remained  stupefied  with  the  chloroform. 

He  uttered  neither  plaint  nor  cry. 


CHAPTER  LX. 

THE     DISCOVERY. 

MR.  MOLE  woke  up  suddenly  and  kicked  over  a  chair. 

"  Dear  me  !  "  exclaimed  Emily;  "  whatever  is  the  matter, 
Mr.  Mole  ?  " 

"  I've  had  a  bad  dream,"  he  murmured. 

"What  about?" 

"I  thought  someone  planted  Harkawayin  the  ground  like 
a  tree,  and  then  another  man  came  and  chopped  him  down." 

"  How  absurd  !  "  said  Hilda. 

"  Isn't  it  ?  "  remarked  Emily. 

"I  believe  in  dreams,"  said  Lily  Cockles,  "and  I  hope 
this  one  does  not  mean  bad  luck." 

Suddenly  Monday's  wife,  Ada,  ran  into  the  room. 

She  held  up  her  hands  despairingly,  and  seemed  in  great 
grief. 

"  Oh,  ma'am  !  "  she  said.     "  Oh,  Mrs.  Harkaway  !  " 

Emily  sprang  to  her  feet. 

"  What  is  it,  Ada  ?  "  she  asked. 

"  Oh,  ma'am,  I  can't  find  words.     It's  too  dreadful !  " 

All  a  mother's  apprehensions  were  aroused. 

Emily  became  deathly  white,  but  she  did  not  faint. 

Seizing  the  girl  by  the  arm,  she  pinched  her  till  she  hurt 
her,  saying — 

"  Speak,  wom»n,  speak  !  " 

"  Master  Harki  srtcr'i  gone,  ma'am." 

"  Gone  ? " 

"Yes.  ma'am.  He  isn't  in  his  cot,  and  I've  looked  all 
o>c..  "':.z  house  for  him." 

Emily  sank  back. 

She  would  have  fallen,  had  not  Hilda  caught  her  in  her 
arms. 


1:38      JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

"God  in  His  mercy  help  me  and  take  pity,"  murmured 
Emily. 

"Be  brave,  dear,"  whispered  Hilda. 

"  Oh,  I  cannot !  My  son  !  my  child  !  my  darling.  Give 
me  my  darling.  Give  him  me,  or  I  shall  go  mad." 

At  this  moment,  the  footsteps  of  the  gentlemen  returning 
from  the  Cafd  Di  Europa  were  audible  on  the  stairs. 

They  were  conversing  merrily. 

Jack  appeared  in  the  doorway.  He  saw  his  wife  half- 
fainting  in  Hilda's  arms. 

"  What  is  the  matter  ?  "  he  asked,  anxiously. 

His  voice  roused  her. 

"  Oh,  Jack  !  Our  son — he  is  gone.  Ada  can't  find  him. 
Heaven  help  us ! "  sobbed  Emily, 

"The  child  gone  ?  "  repeated  Jack,  looking  at  Ada. 

The  girl  began  to  cry. 

He  shook  her  roughly. 

"  Why  don't  you  speak  ? "  he  cried. 

"  It's  true,  sir,"  she  answered. 

"Where  have  you  been  ?  " 

"  I  only  went  to  have  my  supper,  sir,  in  the  hall  with  the 
other  servants." 

"  This  must  be  seen  to,"  said  Jack.  "  Dick,  come  with  me, 
will  you,  and  we'll  explore  the  house  ?  Walter,  call  Monday, 
please." 

Jack  and  Harvey  ran  up  stairs. 

They  searched  the  house  from  top  to  bottom,  but  they 
could  discover  no  trace  of  either  the  boy  or  Monday. 

Young  Jack  was  gone. 

The  black  was  missing  also. 

"  Is  the  prisoner  safe  ? "  asked  Harvey. 

"  We  will  see,"  replied  Jack,  a  terrible  suspicion  of  the 
truth  flashing  across  his  mind. 

They  tried  the  door. 

It  was  locked,  and  in  the  absence  of  Monday,  who,  acting 
the  part  of  gaoler,  held  the  key,  they  were  forced  to  break  it 
open. 

Succumbing  to  the  vigorous  onslaught  from  without,  the 
door  fell  back  broken. 

Monday  was  lying  on  his  back  groaning. 

He  had  lost  blood,  and  was  weak  in  consequence. 

Raising  him  up,  Jack  placed  him  on  the  bed,  and  Harvey 
poured  brandy  down  his  throat. 


fACJf  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.       139 

When  he  could  speak,  he  told  how  he  had  been  attacked 
by  Bigamini. 

He  knew  no  more. 

Jack  comprehended  everything. 

The  spy  had  escaped  and  taken  with  him  the  child. 

Leaving  Harvey  to  hold  up  Monday's  head,  Jack  slowly 
and  sorrowfully  retraced  his  steps  to  the  drawing-room. 

Emily  was  hysterical,  and  went  from  one  fit  into  another. 

Hilda  and  Lily  attended  to  her,  with  smelling  salts  and 
other  restoratives. 

She  was  like  Rachel,  mourning  for  her  children,  and  re> 
fused  to  be  comforted. 

"  Bear  up,  darling,"  said  Jack.  "  We  will  soon  have  hint 
back  again." 

"  Oh,  no,  no  ! "  she  cried,  between  her  sobs.  "  Barboni 
will  kill  him." 

"  I  think  not.     What  object  would  that  attain  ?  " 

"  Revenge." 

"  Depend  upon  it,  he  will  hold  the  child  as  a  hostage,  tr 
make  terms  for  himself,"  answered  Jack. 

In  an  hour  or  two,  Emily  was  calmer,  and  listened  to  ha 
husband' s  assurances  that  the  boy  was  in  no  immediat< 
danger. 

The  bold  abduction  of  the  child  threw  the  whole  housit 
Mto  excitement. 

Nothing  could  be  done  until  the  morning. 

Jack  was  almost  at  his  wits'  end. 

He  lay  awake  all  that  night  thinking. 


CHAPTER  LXI. 

YOUNG  JACK  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

BARBONI  had  entrenched  himself  in  the  mountains  as  well 
as  he  was  able. 

He  had  but  forty  men  left. 

Many  had  been  killed  in  fighting,  some  had  deserted,  and 
altogether  his  force  was  considerably  reduced  since  Harkaway 
had  made  up  his  mind  to  exterminate  him  and  his  band. 

Hunston  was  his  principal  officer,  and,  as  we  know,  he  was 
shrewd  as  well  as  brave. 


140     JACK  HARKAWAY  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

A  position  admirably  calculated  for  defence  was  chosen, 
and  rifle-pits  were  dug  in  the  side  of  the  mountain. 

The  brigands  had  no  cave  now. 

They  found  shelter  in  the  holes  of  the  rocks,  or  camped 
like  gipsies  under  tents  in  any  hollow  they  could  find. 

Barboni  and  the  Contessa  Di  Malafedi  occupied  the  chief 
tent. 

She  had  long  been  his  wife,  and  was  very  grateful  to  him 
for  saving  her  life. 

The  horror  of  a  public  execution  and  the  pain  of  death 
had  been  spared  her  through  his  bravery. 

She  had  assisted  him  through  long  years,  during  his  career 
of  a  brigand. 

It  was  a  singular  thing  that  everyone  who  knew  Barboni 
intimately  liked  him. 

He  was  no  vulgar  ruffian. 

The  distraction  in  which  his  country  was  at  this  tine 
plunged  may  perhaps  be  some  excuse  for  the  position  he 
took  up. 

When  England  was  badly  governed,  outlaws  abounded. 

The  modern  brigand  is  nothing  more  than  a  repetition  of 
the  outlaw  of  the  past. 

He  is  the  result  of  bad  government. 

After  occupying  the  position  she  had  held  in  Naples,  it 
may  be  supposed  that  the  contessa  felt  the  change  very  much. 

She  had  to  put  up  with  privations. 

But  she  had  loved  Barboni  as  he  had  never  loved  her,  and 
she  did  not  murmur  at  the  inconvenience  to  which  she  was 
sometimes  subjected. 

It  was  nearly  evening,  and  Barboni  was  standing  on  the 
summit  of  the  hill  upon  which  he  had  pitched  his  camp. 

He  held  a  telescope  in  his  hand,  and,  putting  it  to  his  eye, 
from  time  to  time,  swept  the  surrounding  country. 

That  he  was  ill  at  ease,  it  required  no  lengthened  exami- 
nation to  discover. 

The  contessa  glided  up  to  him,  and,  slipping  her  arm  into 
his,  looked  up  eagerly  and  anxiously  into  his  eyes. 

"  Mio  caro"  she  cried,  "  you  are  fearful  of  some  evil." 

"  No,"  he  answered  in  Italian.  "  The  lion  maybe  brought 
to  bay,  but  he  knows  not  what  fear  is,  though  the  bullets  of 
the  hunters  fly  round  him." 

"Oh,  amico  mio,"  continued  the  contessa,  "do  listen  to 
me :  listen  to  the  voice  of  love,  and  quit  this  life  for  ever." 


JACK  XtR.KAWAY  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.       i4s 

*I  will,"  replied  the  brigand,  with  a  grim  smile. 

"When?" 

"  When  I  die,"  he  replied. 

"Dominico,"  she  said,  sadly.  "I  address  you  by  that 
name  because  it  is  the  one  I  first  knew  you  by." 

"  Speak  on,"  he  said,  calmly. 

"  You  made  me  love  you  when  I  was  but  a  mere  girl.  1 
have  since  learnt  that  I  am  not  your  only  victim." 

"Why  worry  me  with  this  idle  twaddle?"  he  replied, 
hastily. 

"  Bear  with  me,"  she  said.  "  You  betrayed  Lady  Barrel ; 
you  would  have  betrayed  Miss  Lily  Cockles.  I  have  heard 
all  the  scandal  of  Naples,  and " 

"  At  any  rate,  I  saved  your  life,"  he  interrupted,  "  and, 
seeing  how  hunted  and  worried  I  am,  this  is  not  a  nice  time 
to  choose  to  attack  me.' 

"  My  sweet  one,"  answered  the  contessa,  with  a  loving 
look,  "  I  do  not  attack  you.  All  I  want  to  say  is  that  I  love 
you  fondly." 

The  brigand  laughed  sneeringly. 

"  Oh,  my  own,"  sighed  the  contessa,  "  do  not  forget  what 
I  have  been  to  you ;  do  not  despise  the  truest  love  woman 
ever  felt  for  man." 

"  I  do  not.     You  are  foolish." 

"  No,  I  am  not.  I  ha"e  done  much  for  you.  Think  of  the 
risk  I  ran  in  Naples.  Nu  one  suspected  that  I  was  the 
brigand's  wife.'" 

"You  speak  the  word  as  if  it  was  a  term  of  reproach." 

"  So  it  is;"  answered  the  contessa.  "  But  I  do  not 
reproach  you  with  it.  All  I  say  is  that  I  have  sacrificed 
my  life  to  you,  and  I  would  lay  it  down  at  this  moment  to 
save  yours." 

"  Perhaps  you  will  have  a  chance  soon." 

"  Soon  ? " 

"  Yes.     All  depends  upon  Bigamini." 

"Why?" 

"  What  a  plague  you  women  are  !  "  cried  Barboni,  petu- 
lantly. "  You  are  always  asking  a  lot  of  questions,  which  it 
takes  a  man  half  his  time  toanswer.  Go  to  your  tent ;  leave 
me." 

"  My  place  is  by  your  side,"  she  answered. 

"  What ! "  he  cried,  angrily,  "  am  I  to  be  disobeyed  ? 
Begone,  madam.  SantoDiol  I  shall  strike  you." 


r 4.2       JACK  HARKA IV A  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

"  A  man  who  strikes  a  woman  is  a  coward,"  replied  the 
contessa.  "  But  strike  me  if  you  will.  My  love  for  you  is 
so  great  that  I  would  even  bear  that  insult." 

"Why  do  you  irritate  me  ?  "  he  asked. 

"  Because  an  instinct  warns  me  that  you  are  threatened 
with  danger.  If  I  am  near  you,  I  may  be  able  to  save  you ; 
and  if  I  could  lay  down  my  life  for  you,  I  should  die 
happy." 

"  Cospetto  !  "  cried  the  brigand.  "  Is  this  the  time  foi 
sentimental  nonsense?  I  tell  you  my  mind  is  distracted 
with  doubts  and  fears.  Here,  Florio,  Camillo  !  Come 
hither." 

Two  men  holding  command  among  the  brigands  ap- 
proached. 

"  Remove  this  lady  to  her  tent,"  continued  Barboni. 
"  Let  a  sentinel  be  posted  to  see  that  she  comes  not  forth  to 
worry  me." 

The  contessa  drew  herself  up  proudly. 

"It  is  unnecessary,"  the  contessa  said,  addressing  Bar- 
boni, "  to  subject  me  to  insult  at  the  hands  of  your  men. 
The  Contessa  Di  Malefedi  has  fallen,  but  she  has  not  sunk 
so  low  as  to  have  lost  all  pride  and  self-respect.  I  go,  nor 
will  I  trouble  you  again  with  my  presence  until  the  danger  I 
can  see  before  us  calls  me  for  the  last  time  to  your  side." 

"  The  last  time  ? "  repeated  Barboni. 

"  Yes." 

"  What  mean  you  ? " 

"  My  prophetic  vision  never  deceives  me ;  besides,  the 
sybil  cast  my  horoscope,  and  foretold  that  I  should  die  to 
save  the  one  I  loved,  and  that  my  death  would  occur  on 
my  twenty-seventh  birthday." 

"  How  old  are  you  now,  Bianca  ?  "  asked  the  brigand, 
with  a  tenderness  he  had  not  before  exhibited. 

"  I  shall  attain  my  twenty-seventh  year  to-morrow." 

"  To-morrow  ?  "  repeated  the  brigand,  starting  as  he 
spoke.  "  Did  the  sybil  tell  you  that  ?  She  never  prophesied 
falsely.  Her  keen  insight  into  the  future  was  always  a  mar- 
vellous mystery.  She  told  you  that,  eh  ?  Say  it  again. 
What  was  it  ? " 

He  spoke  under  the  influence  of  great  agitation. 

His  lips  twitched  convulsively,  and  his  hands  were  tightly 
clenched,  while  his  eagle  eye  rolled  wildly. 

Camillo  and  Florio  were  still  in  attendance. 


JACK  HARK  AW  AY  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.     143 

"Back,  hounds!"  he  cried,  waving  his  hand  fiercely.     What 
are  you  doing  there?" 
"You  called  us,  signer, "  replied  Florio. 

"Santa  Maria!"  cried  Barboni,  "do  you  dare  to  bandy  words 
with  me?" 

Florio  shrugged  his  shoulders. 

"You  stand  there  to  listen  to  my  conversation  with  this  lady, 
insolent  curs  that  you  are!  Cospetto!  I  am  well  served 
by  such  hogs." 

"If  it  comes  to  that,"  replied  Florio,  colouring,  "I  am  no 
more  a  hog  than  yourself." 

A  sharp  cry  came  from  the  lips  of  the  brigand. 
With  lightning-like  rapidity  he  drew  a  reveolver  from  his 
belt,  and,  scarcely  waiting  to  take  aim,  discharged  a  couple 
of  shots  at  the  unhappy  Florio. 

"Die,  dog!"  he  said,  with  a  heartless  laugh,  as  he  saw  the 
brigand  put  his  hand  to  his  side  and  sink  to  the  ground,  which 
was  soon  ensanguined  with  the  life-stream  welling  from  a 
deep  wound. 

At  the  report  of  the  pistol,  the  brigands  who  were  loung- 
ing about  looked  up. 

Florio  was  very  popular  with  them. 

A  feeling  of  indignation  pervaded  every  breast,  and  it  was 
felt  that  Barboni  was  shameful  by  abusing  his  power. 

Camillo  retreated  rapidly,  fearing  that  his  master's  wrath 
might  attack  him  next. 

Several  brigands  crowded  round  him,  to  inquire  the  cause 
of  the  chief's  anger. 

"'Twas  nothing  at  all,"  he  said.  "Florio  had  done  noth- 
ing. Poverino!  he  was  murdered." 

Loud  murmurs  arose. 

"Gently,"  said  Camillo;  "it  is  useless  to  provoke  him  further. 
He  is  mad.       No   one   can   tell   whose   turn  it  will   be   next.' 
"Well  said,"  cried  the  brigands. 
"For  my  part,  I  have  had  enough  of  it." 
"And  I." 
"And  I." 
"And  I." 

"Friends,"  cried  Camillo,  "Barboni's  time  draws  near.     He 
is  no  longer  the  great  brigand  he  was.     Take  my  advice,  and 
let  us  go." 
"Where  can  we  go?     We  are  outlaws,"  said  one. 


144    JACK  HARK  AW  AY  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

"Have  you  not  heard  of  the  new  brigand  of  Vesuvius — Toro 
by  name,  because  he  is  a  very  Hercules?  They  say  he  stands 
eight  feet  high,  is  as  big  as  a  Colossus,  and  has  the  strength 
of  a  bull  combined  with  the  courage  of  a  lion." 

"Per  Baccho!"  said  a  brigand,  "our  worthy  Camillo  has 
spoken  well." 

"A  Toro!  a  Toro!     Down  with  Barboni!"  cried  the  others. 

"Hush!'     said    Camillo.     "All   who   will   leave    Barboni   and 
join  Toro,  follow  me.     I  will  guide  you  to  his  cave. " 
The  whisper  ran  the  round  of  the  brigands. 
Five-and-twenty  at  once  rallied  round  Camillo.     But  fifteen 
remained  faithful  to  their  chief. 

The  seceders  leisurely  walked  down  the  side  of  the  mount- 
ain, led  by  Camillo,  who  had  promised  to  take  them  to  the 
cave  of  the  new  brigand  named  Toro,  who  had  lately  startled 
Naples  by  his  atrocities. 

Hunston  had  overheard  part  of  the  conversation,  but  he 
did  not  think  it  prudent  to  interfere. 

He  was  much  annoyed  and  alarmed  at  this  serious  lessen- 
ing of  their  already  small  force. 

During  this  episode,  Barboni  and  the  contessa  had  remain- 
ed in  conversation. 

"I  regret,"  she  said,  "that  the  witch  foretold  my  death  on 
my  twenty-seventh  birthday." 

"And  she  said  that  you  would  die  in  defending  me?" 

"Those  were  her  words." 

"Strange,"  muttered  Barboni.  "I  never  knew  the  stars  to 
tell  her  false.  Had  any  other  uttered  this  prediction,  I 

should  have  disregarded  it,  but " 

He  passed  his  hand  over  his  brow,  and  paused  abruptly. 

"Am  I  to  lose  every  one  who  is  dear  to  me?"  he  said  at  length. 
"Friends  I  have  none,  nor  did  I  ever  care  to  make  any.  I 
have  lost  mother  and  son;  now  you,  Bianca,  my  wife,  are  threat- 
ened by  the  hand  of  fate." 

"Perhaps  it  is  a  delusion,"  replied  the  contessa,  wishing  to 
soften  the  poignancy  of  the  anguish  she  saw  he  was  suffering, 

"Ha,  ha!"  laughed  Barboni  scornfully,  as  his  mood  changed. 
"am  I  going  to  play  the  woman?  Santa  Maria!  am  I  not 
made  of  sterner  stuff  than  that?" 

"I  hope  so,"  said  the  contessa. 

"Let  fate  do  its  worst  — let  fate  rob  me  of  all    and    make 


JACK  HARK  AW  A  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.      145 

me  stand  alone,  I  will  show  my  enemies  that  Barboni's 
spirit  is  not  crushed.  To  your  tent,  Bianca,  to  your  tent! 
I  am  in  no  mood  for  talking  to  women  to-day.  Here 
comes  Hunstoni,  and  from  his  face  I  should  say  he  was 
the  bearer  of  ill  tidings." 

The  contessa  smothered  a  sigh  and  retired  to  her  tent, 
in  the  solitude  of  which  she  gave  vent  to  a  flood  of  tears. 

Her  gay  career  at  Naples  was  cut  short,  and  but  that 
she  loved  the  brigand  chief,  she  had  little  left  to  live  for. 

The  prediction  of  the  sybil,  that  she  should  die  on  her 
twenty-seventh  birthbay,  in  saving  the  life  of  Barboni, 
did  not  trouble  her  much. 

There  are  times  when  the  human  mind  is  so  over- 
whelmed with  affliction,  so  stunned  and  numbed,  as  it 
were,  that  the  near  approach  of  death  is  not  looked  upon 
with  any  terror.  In  fact,  death  is  hailed  as  a  happy 
release  from  earthly  suffering,  and  the  hope  of  something 
better  beyond  the  grave  may  become  absolutely  fascinat- 
ing from  its  vagueness. 

Hunston  approached  his  chief  with  a  downcast  air. 

"Well?"  said  Barboni.  "You  bring  tidings  of  evil. 
Out  with  your  news,  man." 

"Camillo  has  deserted,"  returned  Hunston. 

"Nay,"  laughed  Barboni,  "that  is  intelligence  to  make 
one  merry.  We  have  a  discontented  dog  the  less 
amongst  us." 

"He  has  taken  with  him  five-and- twenty  of  our  best 
men."  "Then  we  shall  have  the  less  to  keep.  I  had 
thought  seriously  of  shooting  a  couple  of  dozen  of  them 
to-night.  How  many  have  we  left  now?" 

"Not  more  than  fifteen."  "An  excellent  number  for 
stopping  a  coach,  or  robbing  a  traveller,"  answered 
Barboni.  "Suppose  we  are  attacked  by  the  soldiers?" 

"If  we  can't  fight,  then  we  must  run  away.  Does  your 
courage  fail  you?  If  so,  you  are  at  liberty  to  depart, 
Signor  Hunstoni.  I  shall  not  reproach  you.  Barboni 
will  say  no  word,  if  you  quit  him  in  his  hour  of  need." 

"If  you  were  successful  and  flourishing,  I  would  leave 
you,"  replied  Hunston,  "for  I  am  tired  of  this  life,  and 
want  to  get  over  to  America,  where  I  can  enjoy  a  little 
peace  and  quietness  with  what  money  I  have." 
10 


1 46      JACK  HARK  AW  AY  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

"  Go,  then,"  said  Barboni,  with  dignity. 

"No,"  answered  Hunston,  "  I'll  stick  to  you,  now.  You 
shall  be  able  to  say  that  you  have  one  friend,  at  all  events." 

"  I  am  grateful,"  said  Barboni,  shaking  his  hand. 

"You  know  I  am  not  a  man  of  many  words,  but  I  am  sin- 
cerely grateful,  and  I  only  pray  that  it  may  be  in  my  powei 
to  show  my  gratitude." 

And  Hunston  turned  away. 

Barboni's  quick  eye  was  roaming  over  the  landscape. 

"  Ha  !  I  see  a  form  in  the  valley.  Your  glass.  Quick  !  " 
he  said,  addressing  Prosperi,  one  of  his  subordinates. 

He  placed  the  glass  to  his  eye. 

"Yes,"  he  continued  ;  "it  is  as  I  thought.  Bigamini  has 
returned  from  Naples." 

"  He  holds  something  in  his  arms.  He  is  successful," 
said  Prosperi. 

"  Santissima  Virginc  ? "  exclaimed  Barboni,  "  this  is  great 
news.  Our  position  is  not  so  bad  as  I  thought." 

A  scrutiny  enabled  him  to  come  to  agree  with  Prosperi 
that  the  man  below  was  no  other  than  Bigamini,  and  that  the 
latter  held  something  in  his  arms,  which  in  all  probability 
was  the  child  he  had  been  dispatched  to  Naples  to  steal. 

Jack  Harkaway's  only  son. 

Soon  the  shadowy  form  in  the  valley  was  lost  to  sight,  and 
an  anxious  hour  elapsed  before  he  reached  the  brigands' 
camp. 

When  at  length  he  came,  he  advanced  at  once  to  the  chief, 
who  had  been  rejoined  by  Hunsto;.,  and  laid  a  bundle  at  his 
feet. 

"  Ha,  my  prince  of  spies,"  said  Barboni,  "  what  have  you 
there  ? " 

"Young  Jack  Harkaway,  signer,"  replied  Bigamini. 

"  Dead  ? " 

"  Alive,  if  I  haven't  overdosed  him  with  chloroform." 

The  chief  stooped  down. 

He  undid  the  cloth  that  covered  the  child,  who  was  breath- 
ing regularly. 

"  Well  done  !  "  he  exclaimed.  "  You  shall  have  a  purse  of 
gold  for  this.  Get  ye  to  the  cook,  who  has  the  carcase  of  a 
goat  waiting  at  the  fire.  I'll  wager  you  are  both  tired  and 
hungry." 

"Thank  you,  signor.  I'll  attend  to  the  inner  man  first,  for 
though  I'm  only  a  miserable  Bigamini,  I  know  what's  good, 


JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.       147 

and  the  smell  of  that  roast  kid  would  make  a  hermit's  mouth 
w;iter." 

The  spy  betook  himself  to  that  part  of  the  camp  where  the 
cook  was  preparing  the  brigands'  dinner,  licking  his  lips  as 
he  went. 

"  Bianca,"  cried  Barboni,  whose  voice,  penetrating  her 
tent,  caused  the  contessa  to  come  forward. 

"  Did  you  call  me  ?  "  she  asked. 

"  I  did.  Take  this  child  under  your  care,  and  see  that  no 
harm  happens  to  it." 

The  contessa  took  up  the  young  one,  who  opened  his  eyes 
and  stared  about  him,  the  effects  of  the  drug  given  him  by 
his  captor  having  worn  off. 

"  It  is  Mr.  Harkaway's  child,"  said  the  contessa  in  sur- 
prise ;  "  I  know  him  well.  Often  have  I  played  with  and 
given  him  sweetmeats.  What  is  your  object  in  bringing  him 
here  ? " 

"A  free  pardon  from  the  government,"  answered  Barboni. 

"  You  will  never  get  that." 

"  Then  the  child  dies.  I  shall  place  my  liberty  and  the 
child's  life  in  the  balance  ;  Harkaway  can  choose  which  he 
likes." 

"  My  pretty  one,"  said  the  contessa,  kissing  the  child  wi-th 
all  the  tenderness  of  a  woman. 

"  I  know  you,"  replied  the  child.  "  You  mamma's  friend. 
Take  me  home,  please." 

"  I  can't  to-night ;  you  have  come  to  stay  with  me." 

"  I  want  to  go  back  to  my  mamma  and  my  papa,"  said 
young  Jack,  kicking  and  struggling  till  she  put  him  down  on 
the  ground,  holding  him  by  one  hand. 

"  How  old  are  you,  my  little  man  ? "  inquired  Barboni,  eye- 
ing the  child  curiously. 

"  Me  four  and  a  half." 

"Go  with  that  lady,  and  you  shall  have  some  supper 
soon." 

"  I  don't  like  you.  I  want  my  pa,"  answered  young  Jack; 
"my  pa  and  I  are  going  to  kill  Barboni." 

The  brigand  smiled. 

"It  would  have  been  well  for  your  father,"  he  muttered, 
"if  he'd  never  got  that  craze  into  his  head." 

"  Come  along,"  said  the  contessa.  "  You  and  I  will  be 
good  friends.  Johnny,  come  to  my  tent." 

"Do  you  live  in  a  tent?"  replied  the  child,  interested 


r48      JACK  HARKAWA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

"  I've  got  a  lot  of  wooden  soldiers  at  home  and  wooden  tents ; 
all  I  want  is  a  drum  and  a  trumpet.  Have  you  got  drums  ?  " 

"  No,  but  I've  got  a  nice  little  bed  of  leaves,  and  grass, 
and  blankets." 

"  I  don't  want  to  go  to  bed.  I  want  my  tea ;  may  I  have 
some  meat  with  my  tea  !  I'm  so  hungry." 

The  contessa  kissed  him,  and  calling  a  brigand,  sent  him 
to  the  cook,  from  whom  he  presently  returned  with  a  smoking 
lump  of  goat's  flesh  on  a  wooden  platter,  a  hunch  of  bread, 
and  a  jug  of  water. 

After  they  had  partaken  of  this  meal,  young  Jack  was 
easily  induced  to  be  put  to  bed,  and  the  contessa,  in  her  rich 
Italian  voice,  sang  him  off  to  sleep. 

"Poor  child,"  she  said  to  herself,  "what  will  his  future 
be  ? " 

Who  could  tell  whether  he  would  live  to  mingle  with  the 
world,  or  if  his  career  was  to  be  cut  short  by  the  rough  and 
brutal  men  among  whom  the  cunning  and  treachery  of  Biga- 
mini  had  placed  him  ? 

Time  alone  would  show. 


CHAPTER  LXII. 

A    PRESENT    FROM    BARBONI. 

THE  day  after  Bigamini's  escape  and  the  abduction  of 
young  Jack,  saw  the  place  in  the  Strada  Di  Toledo  become  a 
house  of  mourning. 

Emily  wept  for  her  first-born,  and  would  not  be  comforted. 

The  men  were  preparing  for  a  journey  to  the  mountains, 
with  a  troop  of  horse  soldiers  and  a  company  of  sharp- 
shooters, who  had  sworn  to  exterminate  the  brigands  once 
and  for  all. 

Jack  did  not  speak  much.  He  went  about  like  a  ghost, 
making  his  preparations  and  talking  to  Monday,  who  was 
his  chief  adviser,  while  Emily  was  so  ill  as  to  be  confined  to 
her  bed. 

Clear-the-Track,  the  little  coxswain,  and  Mr.  Mole,  were  in 
Monday's  pantry,  which  had  become  a  favourite  resort,  it  be- 
ing handy  for  getting  a  glass  of  wine  or  a  bottle  of  iced  beer. 

"  My  dander's  regular  up,"  said  Sam.     "  I  guess  I  shall 


JACK  HARKA  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.       149 

streak  it  along  like  wrath,  when  we  start  after  the  child,  for 
it's  right  down  dirty  mean  to  go  and  steal  a  poor  child  that 
ain't  accountable  for  his  father's  going  on." 

"  If  they'd  taken  Mr.  Mole,  it  wouldn't  have  mattered," 
remarked  the  little  coxswain. 

"Thank  you,  Mr.  Campbell,"  replied  Mole.  "My  life 
may  be  as  precious  as  a  child's." 

"  Oh,  Barboni  don't  steal  lumber,"  said  Sam. 

"  That's  why  he's  let  you  alone,  I  suppose,"  retorted  Mole. 

"  You  old  bundle  of  dried  meat,"  said  Clear-the-Track, 
"  you're  as  ugly  as  a  stone  fence.  So  ugly  are  you,  that  I've 
got  a  pain  in  the  eyes  by  looking  at  you." 

"  Don't,  I  beg  of  you,  disturb  the  harmony  of  this  little 
meeting  by  personal  abuse.  Be  quiet,  and  pass  the  bottle," 
said  Mole. 

"  You  started  it,  and  now  you're  looking  at  me  as  savage 
as  a  meat-axe.  You're  so  mad,  you're  burning  inside  like  a 
lime-kiln,  and  I  wonder  the  smoke  don't  pour  out  of  your 
nose  and  ears." 

"You  have  a  power  of  Invective  which  I  do  not  like  to 
provoke,"  said  Mr.  Mole,  "  and  I  trust  you  will  not  trouble 
yourself  to  abuse  me  any  more.  Jf  I  say  that  I  did  not 
intend  to  offend  you,  having,  as  indeed  I«  have,  the  highest 
possible  respect  for  the  smartness  of  your  countrymen  in 
general,  and  of  yourself  in  particular " 

"  Well,  I'll  dry  up,  but  I  guess  you're  right  about  being 
smart.  My  father  was  so  tall,  that  he  had  to  get  up  a  lad- 
der to  shave  himself,  and  we  grow  oysters  so  large,  that  it 
takes  two  men  to  swallow  one  whole." 

Mr.  Mole  laughed  so  much  at  this,  that  Clear-the-Track 
asked  him  if  he  was  going  to  take  a  fit. 

"  No,"  replied  Mole,  "  but  I'll  take  another  glass  after 
that,  and  I  think  if  we  were  to  send  for  some  of  the  Fusari 
oysters,  we  should  make  sure  of  a  good  lunch." 

Monday  entered  the  pantry,  and  Mr.  Mole  asked  him  to 
go  and  fetch  what  he  wanted,  but  the  black  seemed  to  be  in 
a  great  state  of  excitement,  for  he  just  took  up  a  bottle,  and 
ran  away  again  without  making  any  remark. 

'•'Something's  up,  I'll  go  my  death  on  it,"  said  Sam. 
"That's  as  sure  as  shooting,  and  I  wouldn't  wonder  if  the 
brigand's  in  it  as  usual." 

"  Go  up  stairs  and  find  it  out,  some  of  you,"  said  Mr. 
Mole,  with  his  hand  on  the  bottle. 


150     JACK  HARRA  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

"  Don't  you  milk  the  cow  dry  while  we're  gone,"  said  Sam. 

"  Mr.  Clear-the-Track,  you're  very  personal,  and " 

"  Do  you  want  me  to  start  in  full  blast  again  ?  "  inter- 
rupted Sam.  "  I'll  give  you  the  jerks,  if  you  want  me  to 
keep  the  thing  warm  and  pot  boiling,  old  hoss.  You  take 
my  remarks  without  answering." 

"  I  will,"  replied  Mole. 

"You're  not  the  big  dog  of  the  tanyard  now,  and  I've 
taken  some  trouble  to  show  you  what  a  little  contemptible 
bug  you  are." 

With  another  warning  look  at  Mole,  he  followed  Walter, 
who  had  already  gone  up  stairs. 

Mr.  Mole  gave  him  a  look,  which,  if  looks  were  fatal,  under 
circumstances  of  extreme  hatred,  would  have  killed  him  on 
the  spot. 

"  How  I  detest  that  empty-headed,  chattering  Yankee," 
muttered  Mole.  "  I  wonder  if  Monday  would  stick  a  knife 
into  him,  on  a  dark  night,  and  rid  me  of  him  ? " 

The  idea  seemed  to  please  him,  for  he  chuckled  over  it, 
nodded  his  head,  winked  and  washed  his  hands  with  invisi- 
ble soap  in  imperceptible  water. 

Jack  and  Harvey  were  reading  a  letter  which  did  not  seem 
to  please  them,  and  as  Walter  and  Sam  entered,  Jack  re- 
marked— 

"  It  is  impossible  I  can  consent." 

"What  is  it,  old  man?"  asked  the  little  coxswain. 

"  A  letter  from  Barboni." 

"  Has  the  oracle,  spoken  ?  " 

"Yes,  and  he  says  that  he  has  my  child  and  will  only  de- 
liver him  up  on  Deceiving  a  free  pardon  from  the  Italian  gov- 
ernment." 

"  By  Jove  !  that's  asking  too  much,"  said  Walter. 

"  General  Cialdini  would  do  any  thing  in  reason  to  oblige 
me,  but  this  is  out  of  his  power,"  answered  Jack. 

"  So  I  think,"  said  Harvey.  "  The  fact  is,  the  govern- 
ment is  resolved  to  put  down  brigandage,  and  Barboni  is 
such  a  celebrated  criminal  that  he  must  be  made  an  example 
of,  as  a  warning  to  others." 

"The  cruellest  part  of  the  letter  is  this,"  continued  Jack. 
"  I  am  threatened  that  I  shall  receive  the  poor  child's  ears 
in  a  basket  if  the  pardon  is  not  sent  in  three  days  ;  and  if  a 
further  delay  occurs.  I  am  to  shake  hands  with  him  in  his 
absence." 


JA  CK  HA  RKA  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIG  A  NDS.       151 

"  That  means,  he  will  cut  off  his  hands,"  said  Walter. 

"It's  a  game  all  can  win  at,"  said  Clear-the-Track,  "and 
if  we  catch  him,  we'll  see  how  he  looks  without  his  head." 

"  The  death  of  ten  Barbonis  would  not  compensate  me  for 
the  mutilation  of  my  boy,"  replied  Jack. 

"I  guess  he's  only  done  it  to  frighten  us,"  said  Sam,  "and 
he's  laughing  a  heap  at  the  stew  he's  put  us  in." 

Jack  sat  down  and  clenched  his  fists  with  impotent  rage. 

"  Don't  take  on,  we  must  keep  a-pushing,"  continued 
Clear-the-Track.  "  You  seem  cut  up,  and  look  like  me  when 
I  took  my  first  bottle  of  soda  water." 

"  How  was  that  ?  "  asked  Jack. 

"  It  took  the  breath  clean  out  of  m<-,  my  tongue  felt  as  if 
it  were  full  of  needles,  and  my  stomach  as  if  I'd  swallowed  a 
pint  of  frozen  soapsuds,  while  the  tears  ran  out  of  my  eyes 
like  a  mill  stream." 

"  I  feel  worse  than  that,"  answered  Jack. 

"  Go  and  show  the  letter  to  the  general,"  said  Harvey. 

"  What's  the  use  ?  "  said  Jack.  "  He  wouldn't  pardon 
Barboni,  and  if  he  would,  upon  my  word  I  don't  think  I'd  let 
him.  If  ever  a  villain  deserved  to  die,  this  infernal  brigand 
does,  and  sooner  than  he  should  escape,  I'll  sacrifice  my  poor 
child." 

A  buzz  of  admiration  ran  round  the  room. 

Jack  had  spoken  like  a  hero,  and  each  one  present  felt  a 
tingling  at  the  heart,  as  his  fiery  and  noble  words  were 
spoken. 

"  Bravo  !  You're  real  grit,"  said  Sam  ;  "  you  ve  go;  energy 
enough  to  move  a  mud  turtle.  Stick  to  it  like  shoemaker's 
wax.  Cheer  up;  we'll  rescue  the  child  yet.  I'm  not  going 
to  curse  all  creation,  and  cut  my  throat  yet." 

"Sam's  right,"  said  Harvey.  "We  must  take  the  field 
again." 

"  Start  to-night.  We  know  Barboni's  in  the  mountains, 
and  if  my  life  will  help  to  save  the  child,  Jack's  we^ome  to 
it/'  remarked  the  little  coxswain. 

"  And  mine  too.  Barboni's  not  worth  the  consideration 
of  a  caterpillar,"  cried  Sam.  "  1  can  see  a  gimlet  hole  for 
the  light  of  hope  to  stream  through.  Whoop  !  we'll  clear 
the  track  of  such  unconsidered  trash.  If  Barboni  thinks  to 
frighten  us,  he  might  a;  veil  try  topul!  goose  quills  from  «.he 
wings  of  an  angel." 

Jack  sprang  up. 


,'52      JACK  HARKAWAY  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

"  I  can't  sil  here,"  he  cried ;  "  if  I  do,  I  shall  go  mad. 
Let  us  start  at  once.  Harvey,  go  and  order  the  soldiers  to 
march  as  early  as  is  convenient.  They  have  their  instruc- 
tions ;  a  troop  of  horse  and  a  company  of  foot." 

"  Right,"  said  Harvey. 

"  Walter,  tell  Monday  to  be  ready  to  act  as  guide,  though 
I  think  I  know  the  way  pretty  well." 

The  little  coxswain  and  Harvey  started  at  once. 

"  Keep  up  your  pecker,"  said  Sam,  patting  Jack  on  the  back. 

"  I  try  to  bear  up,"  answered  Jack. 

"  It  will  all  come  straight,  though  it's  in  a  darned  tough 
tangle  now.  Somebody  said — 'Whatever  is,  is  right,  except 
a  left  boot  and  wanting  to  borrow  money.'  If  Mr.  Barboni 
thinks  we're  going  to  cave  in,  it's  all  my  eye  and  Mrs.  Elisa- 
beth Martin." 

Jack  was  amused  at  the  cheerful  rattle  of  Cloar-the-Track 
Sam,  and  smiled  in  spite  of  his  misery. 

"There,"  continued  Sam,  "  you're  a  sijbt  better.  My  jaw 
does  you  good.  Ain't  I  a  beggar  to  talk  ?  Once  at  home  I 
talked  a  horse's  hind  leg  off,  and  wore  his  tail  down  to  a 
stump." 

Mr.  Mole  entered  with  a  bottle  of  wine. 

"  Harkaway,"  he  said,  "  take  a  drop  of  this  cordial ;  or 
would  you  prefer  a  sip  out  of  rny  cask  ?  I  hear  that  the  life 
of  young  Jack  is  threatened,  and  that  you  are  about  to  take 
the  field  against  the  Philistine  once  more.  You  have  my 
deepest  sympathy." 

"Thank  you,"  replied  Jack.  "I  have  just  had  some 
brandy  that  Monday  brought  me,  and  I  am  sure  if  anything 
could  do  me  good  it  is  the  kind  way  in  which  all  my  friends 
have  rallied  round  me." 

"There  is  nothing  like  carrying  a  small  bottle  of  sunshine 
under  your  shirt  front,"  said  Sam. 

"  I  trust,  Harkaway,  that  you  will  place  me  in  the  van  to 
face  danger,  for  I  am  well  known  as  a  valiant  man  and  an 
able  soldier,"  cried  Mole. 

"  You  a  soldier  ?  "  said  Sam. 

"  Certainly  ;  I  am  a  great  fighting  man." 

'*  Oh,  cut  my  straps,  and  let  me  go  to  glory,"  cried  Clear 
the-Track. 

"  I  do  not  care  for  your  sneers,  and  'perhaps  I  shall  soon 
have  an  opportunity  of  showing  you  how  to  kill  brigands,5' 
replied  Mole,  with  dignity. 


JA  CK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.       1 5  ^ 

"You'll  cut  your  stick  and  absquatulate,  that's  whatyou'H 
d«>.  I  wouldn't  give  a  tin  sixpence  for  your  bravery,  nor 
a  pewter  shilling  for  your  skill.  You're  a  stuffed  lion. 
Courage!  Why,  you  haven't  got  enough  to  swear  by." 

Mr.  Mole  turned  on  his  heel,  and  with  an  air  of  supreme 
/ontempt,  quitted  his  tormentor,  more  than  ever  incensed 
against  him. 

That  evening,  after  sunset,  the  friends  quitted  Naples 
once  more  for  the  hills,  the  orders  of  the  officers  command- 
ing the  soldiers  being  not  to  return  until  Barboni  and  his 
men  were  either  killed  or  captured. 

A  couple  of  days'  march  brought  them  to  the  foot  of  the 
hills  where  Monday  declared  he  had  seen  the  brigands  en- 
camped, when  he  was  lucky  enough  to  rescue  his  master. 

Sentinels  were  posted,  tents  pitched,  and  a  regular  camp 
ormed,  to  serve  as  the  base  of  operations. 

Scouts  were  sent  out,  and  Monday  undertook  a  journey  to 
:econnoitre,  it  being  of  no  use  to  charge  up  the  hill,  when  the 
!eaders  did  not  know  if  there  was  any  enemy  there  to  charge. 

Towards  nightfall,  a  soldier  who  had  been  on  guard 
brought  a  basket  to  his  commanding  officer,  saying  a  peas- 
ant had  given  it  him  for  Signor  Harkaway. 

It  was  at  once  forwarded  to  a  large  bell-shaped  tent,  in 
which  the  friends  had  located  themselves. 

Clear-the- Track  was  playing  on  a  banjo. 

Mr.  Mole  was  dancing  on  the  grass,  and  singing  a  song. 

Jack,  the  little  coxswain,  and  Harvey  sat  looking  on  and 
applauding  the  comical  exertions  of  the  professor. 

"  Go  it,  Mole  !  That's  a  twister.  You  can  do  it,  sir.  The 
stage  lost  a  good  comic  actor  in  you,"  cried  Harvey. 

Mr.  Mole  did  a  breakdown,  and  stopped  amid  great  ap- 
plause, the  perspiration  running  down  his  face  in  streams. 

"  I  think  I  deserve  a  drink  after  that,"  he  said.  Where  is 
my  cask  ? " 

At  this  moment  the  soldier  came  up  with  the  basket, 
which  was  carefully  covered  over  with  vine  leaves. 

"For  Signor  Harkaway,"  he  said  saluting. 

Jack  got  up,  and  removed  some  of  the  leaves,  disclosing 
to  view  a  piece  of  paper  on  which  was  written — 

"With  Barboni's  compliments;  another  present  to  follow." 

Jack  trembled  violently  as  he  removed  more  leaves. 

At  the  bottom  of  the  basket,  carefully  placed  on  a  piece  of 
dean  linen  rag,  were  a  pair  cf  ears. 


154     JACK  HARKAWA*  AMUNG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

From  their  size,  it  was  easy  to  see  they  belonged  to  a 
child. 

A  cry  of  agony  and  rage  mingled  broke  from  Jack. 

"  The  villain  has  kept  his  word,"  he  groaned. 

It  was  true. 

Barboni  had  evidently  heard  of  the  approach  of  the  force 
sent  to  capture  him,  and  his  first  act  was  to  cut  off  young 
Jack's  ears,  which  he  sent  in  a  basket  to  his  father. 

The  friends  were  horrified  at  this  barbarity. 

Jack  was  completely  overwhelmed,  as  he  thought  of  the 
sufferings  of  the  child,  and  the  danger  that  still  awaited  him. 


CHAPTER  LXIII. 

MONDAY   HAS    HIS   DOUBTS. 

THOUGH  every  effort  was  made  to  discover  the  retreat  of 
brigands,  the  scouts  did  not  meet  with  the  success  that  their 
perseverance  deserved. 

Nor  was  Monday  more  successful. 

Traces  of  encampments  were  found,  but  it  appeared  as  if 
Barboni  never  stopped  more  than  a  few  hours  in  one  place. 

He  was  continually  changing  his  position,  and  by  this 
means  baffled  his  enemies. 

Jack  fretted  and  chafed  with  impatience  at  the  slow  pro- 
gress they  made. 

Three  days  after  the  receipt  of  the  ears  by  Jack,  a  child's 
hand  was  sent  him  in  the  same  way.  The  brigand  wrote 
thus— 

"With  Barboni's  compliments.  Mr.  Harkaway  is  re- 
quested to  shake  hands  with  his  child,  who  will  be  shot 
to-morrow  if  the  troops  do  not  return  immediately  to  Naples. 

"Vi  SALUTA  BARBONI." 

The  receipt  of  this  letter  intensified  Jack's  horror.  He 
felt  sure  that  his  firstborn  was  doomed  to  death. 

At  this  juncture  our  friends  received  reinforcement  in  the 
person  of  Lord  St.  Clair,  the  cousin  whom  Garden,  in  his 
dying  moments,  had  requested  them  to  telegraph  for  to 
avenge  his  death. 


JA  CK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.        1 5  5 

St.  Clair  was  tall,  stout,  and  handsome. 

He  was  one  of  those  huge,  bulky  men,  who  combine  great 
strength  with  magnificent  physical  proportions. 

At  the  age  of  thirty,  he  was  in  his  prime. 

Arriving  at  Naples,  and  hearing  that  the  friends  were 
actively  engaged  in  brigand-hunting,  he  at  once  proceeded 
to  the  front. 

Jack  and  the  others  welcomed  him  very  warmly,  and  gave 
him  an  account  of  Garden's  death,  which  affected  him 
deeply,  as  he  had  been  much  attached  to  his  cousin. 

"  Blood  for  blood  is  my  motto."  said  Lord  St.  Clair  ;  "an 
eye  for  an  eye,  and  a  tooth  for  a  tooth  — the  old  Levitical 
law,  you  know,  and  please  God  I'll  avenge  poor  Tom's  death. 
He  shan't  call  on  me  in  vain." 

"We  are  all  of  one  mind,"  replied  Jack. 

"  I  trust  you  have  recovered  your  child,"  said  Lord  St. 
Clair. 

"  No,  indeed.  He  is  dead  by  this  time,"  answered  Jack, 
who  told  him  of  Barboni's  atrocity. 

"  The  cold-blooded  monster  !  "  ejaculated  St.  Clair. 

"  I  am  reckless  now,"  replied  Jack ;  "  in  fact  I  don't  care 
for  any  thing.  When  I  think  of  Barboni,  a  red  mist  comes 
before  my  eyes  ;  I  only  see  blood,  and  I  will  never  rest  until 
the  scoundrel  who  has  murdered  my  child  is  as  low  as  he." 

"  Where  is  the  brigand  ?  "  asked  his  lordship. 

"That's  what  nobody  knows,'' answered  Harvey.  "He's 
a  sort  of  Will-o'-the-wisp,  Jack-o'-Lantern  kind  of  cove. 
He's  about  some  where,  but  our  scouts  can't  spot  him." 

"  That  wouldn't  do  for  me,"  replied  St.  Clair.  "  I've  just 
come  back  from  the  Western  States  of  America,  and " 

•'  What ! "  exclaimed  Clear-the-Track.  "  Have  you  been 
to  the  States  ? " 

"Yes." 

"  Have  you  been  south  as  far  as  Masonville,  in  Texas, 
where  I  was  raised  ? " 

"  I've  been  there,"  replied  St.  Clair. 

"  Do  you  know  Snack-nasty  Jim,  and  Boston  Bob,  and 
Pug-ugly  Tom  ?  Oh  !  scissors  !  ain't  he  ugly  ?  Why,  he's 
as  old-looking  as  a  blue  pig  with  a  saffron-coloured  tail 
Oh,  my !  I'm  as  happy  as  an  oyster  in  June  to  meet  you, 
stranger  ;  let's  feel  your  flesh." 

He  held  out  his  hand,  which  the  good-natured  English- 
man took  with  the  same  heartiness  as  it  was  offeied. 


iS6    JACK  HARK  AW  AY  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

"You  and  I'll  have  a  palaver  after  a  bit,"  he  said.  "At 
present  I  want  to  tell  a  bit  of  a  story." 

"Go  on.  I  reckon  I  ain't  so  contemptibly  mean  as  to  stop 
you.  We  understand  one  another,  and  I  reckon  when  you 
speak  to  me,  you  ain't  talking  Choctaw  to  a  Chinaman,"  return- 
ed Clear-the-Track. 

Lord  St.  Clair  smiled,  but  was  not  surprised  or  offended 
at  the  volubility  of  the  American,  for,  being  a  travelled  Eng- 
lishman, he  had  got  rid  of  all  that  stupid  pride  of  class  which 
makes  our  stay-at-home  noblemen  so  disagreeable  and  ex- 
clusive. 

"Clear-the-Track,"  continued  Sam,  "it's  as  hard  to  make 
me  dry  up  as  it  is  to  make  a  hen  sit  when  she  ain't  in  the 
humour  for  it,  though  I  once  broke  a  fowl's  heart  by  giving 
her  six  china  door  knobs  to  sit  on  instead  of  eggs,  and  she  very 
nearly  busted  herself  a-trying  to  hatch  that  brood  out.  But 
I'm  at  it  again,  clear  the  track.  It's  all  Mole's  fault." 

"No  familiarity,  if  you  please,  sir,"  said  the  professor.  "To 
my  friends  I  am  Mole.  To  you  I  am  Mr.  Mole,  and  I  protest 
once  more  against  being  insulted  by  an  American  monkey. 

"Oh,  gosh!  roll  up!"  cried  Sam.  "That's  a  crusher.  Ain't 
he  got  my  name  patf  I'm  a  regular  ring-tailed  screamer." 

"Will  you  let  me  tell  my  storyf "  asked  Lord  St.  Clair. 

"Clear  the  track;  I've  done,"  answered  Sam.  "I'm  as  short 
as  pie-crust." 

"In  Kansas  I  went  bear-hunting,"  said  St.  Clair. 

"We  walked  for  miles  and  could  see  no  bear,  but  we  found 
bear  tracks,  and  that  enabled  us  to  track  the  grizzly  to  his 
den." 

"You  mean  to  say  that  we  ought  to  find  brigands'  tracks," 
said  Jack. 

"That's  it;  and  if  any  one  will  accompany  me,  I  will  see  if 
I  can't  discover  them." 

The  suggestion  was  a  good  one,  but  as  Monday  had  failed 
in  the  very  same  attempt,  Jack  did  not  hope  much  from  it, 
though  he  said  nothing  to  discourage  the  new-comer. 
Monday  was  constantly  missing  from  the  camp. 
He  made  long  journeys,  and  said  nothing  about  them  when 
he  returned,  though  Jack  questioned  him  once  or  twice. 

All  he  would  say  was — 
"Me  not  believe  um  child  dead,  sare." 


JACK  HARK  AW  AY  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.       157 

"But,"  returned  Jack,  "how  could  he  live  with  his  poor  hand 
cut  off?  Oh,  he's  dead  enough.  Curses  on  his  murderers!  The 
news  will  kill  my  wife." 

"Monday  go  seek  again,  sare,  and  think  him  able  to  find 
um  child." 

Jack  shook  his  head  sadly,  and  Monday  once  more  climbed 
up  the  side  of  the  mountain. 

It  was  a  wild  and  stormy  night. 

All  day  long  the  heat  had  been  oppressive. 

Scarcely  a  breath  of  air  stirred  the  atmosphere. 

It  was  like  being  in  a  vapour  bath. 

But  to  Monday  this  made  no  difference,  because  he  was 
used  to  just  such  a  climate. 

The  lightning  flashed. 

The  thunder  rolled. 

In  the  distance  Vesuvius  could  be  seen  in  a  state  of  eruption, 
throwing  up  clouds  of  lava,  stones  and  cinders. 

At  length  the  rain  began  to  fall. 

The  parched  and  arid  earth  literally  steamed  as  the  rain 
fell  on  it,  but  Monday  pushed  on. 

It  was  a  night  he  could  have  wished  for. 

He  had  wandered  over  the  mountains  so  often,  that  he  knew 
his  way  about  pretty  well. 

Suddenly  a  blinding  flash  of  lightning  followed  by  a  deafen- 
ing peal  of  thunder,  caused  him  to  stop. 

Something  brushed  past  him. 

He  grasped  his  knife  more  firmly,  thinking  he  was  near 
the  brigand's  hut,  and  another  flash,  which  lit  up  the  surround- 
ing scenery,  and  made  every  object  as  clear  as  in  broad  day- 
light, showed  him  that  the  thing  which  had  touched  him  was 
not  a  man. 

It  was  a  wolf. 

The  animal  licked  his  hand,  and  it  instantly  occurred  to 
him  that  it  was  the  same  one  he  had  met  in  the  sibyl's  cave. 
"Um  Bigamini's  wolf,"  he  said,  with  a  grin,  as  he  thought  of 
the  night  in  the  cave;  "what  um  doing  heref" 

Stroking  the  creature's  neck  and  head,  Monday  reflected. 

The  wolf  had  most  probably  followed  Barboni  to  the  moun- 
tains. 

If  so,  the  brigands  were  somewhere  near. 

Full  of  this  idea,  he  sat  down  and  waited  for  daybreak,  while 
the  wolf,  who  knew  him  again,  lay  like  a  dog  at  his  side. 


i  ^8     re.  •:  r  HARKA  WA  y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS, 

When  the  first  streaks  of  rosy-tinged  morn  crimsoned  tht 
sky,  Monday  sprang  up. 

la  a  hollow,  carefully  concealed  by  nature  and  overhang- 
ing brushwood,  he  saw  a  column  of  smoke  curling  lazily  up- 
wards. 

The  wolf  looked  at  him,  as  much  as  to  say — 

tt   is   breakfast    time,    and    I    must    go   and  join   my 
friends." 

Then  he  trotted  off  down  the  bank,  and  was  lost  to  sight. 

Creeping  on  his  belly,  Monday  reached  the  side  of  the 
uoiiow,  and  looked  down. 

Below  were  two  tents,  and  round  them  were  grouped  in 
picturesque  attitudes  the  small  band  of  men  who  remained 
taithful  to  Barboni. 

"  Um  brigands  !  "  said  Monday  joyfull  f.  "  Oh,  Sally  come 
up,  won't  Mast'  Jack  be  pleased  ?  It  make  um  heart  jump 
for  um  joy." 

He  remained  watching  for  some  tiiae,  but  he  could  see 
nothing  of  the  child,  and  at  last,  knowing  how  valuable  time 
was,  he  reluctantly  quitted  the  spot,  atid  hastened  to  the 
plain  below  to  give  the  glad  tidings  to  the  soldiers. 

When  he  reached  the  encampment,  he  rushed  at  once  to 
Jack's  tent. 

Breakfast  was  being  prepared  by  Mr.  Mole  and  Lord  St. 
Clair,  who  was  an  old  campaigner,  and  could  make  an  ome- 
lette in  the  crown  of  an  old  hat  if  he  hadn't  a  frying-pan. 

Jack  was  boiling  the  kettle,  while  Harvey  and  the  little 
coxswain,  aided  by  Clear-the-Track  Sam,  laid  the  plates, 
cups,  and  saucers  on  the  grass. 

"  Monday,"  said  Jack,  looking  up. 

"Yes,  sare,"  replied  the  black;  " um  find  um  brigands. 
Come  up  hill  quick,  or  p'r'aps  um  go  like  birds." 

"  Where  are  they  ? " 

"  'Bout  two  miles  up." 

"  How  many  of  them  ?  " 

"  Not  more  than  thirty.  Couldn't  see  um  all.  Call  um 
soldiers,  sare." 

"  Did — did  you  see  my  child  ?  "  asked  Jack,  in  a  faltering 
voice. 

"  No,  sare.  Um  not  see  young  Mast'  Jack,  but  there  two 
tents  and  p'r'aps  um  child  in  one.  Monday  not  have  time 
to  wait,  cos  might  slip  away." 

All  thoughts  of  breakfast  were  thrown  to  the  winds. 


/A  CK  HARKA  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIG  A  KDS.       1 59 

The  news  flew  like  wildfire  through  the  camp,  and  the 
men  were  under  arms  directly. 

The  cavalry  remained  in  charge  of  the  camp,  as  they  could 
be  of  no  use  in  the  hills,  and  only  the  Bersaglieri  were  taken 
to  the  attack. 

"  This  is  great  news,"  observed  Mr.  Mole,  shouldering  a 
rifle.  "  I  wish  Monday  could  have  put  off  his  arrival  half 
an  hour,  though,  as  my  belly  cries  cupboard,  and  I  crave  to 
break  my  fast." 

He  put  some  bread  in  his  pockets  to  eat  on  the  way. 

The  friends  lighted  their  pipes,  and  marched  with  the 
soldiers  gaily  up  the  sides  of  the  mountains. 

Monday  was  the  pioneer  and  led  the  way. 

Not  a  sound  was  uttered,  and  everyone  proceeded  with  the 
utmost  caution,  lest  an  alarm  should  be  given,  and  the  brig- 
ands, being  warned,  should  succeed  in  making  their  escape 
through  the  many  passes  and  defiles,  with  which  they  were 
well  acquainted. 

It  was  an  anxious  moment  for  Jack. 

If  the  attack  was  successful,  he  would  know  if  his  deal 
child  was  alive  or  dead. 

He  determined  to  single  out  Barboni. 

"  One  of  us  shall  die  to-day,"  he  muttered  through  his 
clenched  teeth. 


CHAPTER  LXIV. 

THE     BRIGANDS     AT    BAY. 

BARBONI  knew  from  his  spies  that  the  English,  with  a 
large  force  of  soldiers  were  after  him. 

This  made  him  very  cautious  in  his  movements,  and  he 
continually  shifted  his  position. 

The  prediction  of  coming  danger  made  by  the  contessa 
was  not  verified,  and  he  laughed  at  her  fears. 

It  was  a  lovely  morning,  such  as  one  can  only  see  beneath 
the  beautiful  blue  sky  of  Italy,  which  inspires  poets  and 
painters. 

The  contessa  came  from  her  tent. 

Barboni  was  standing  in  the  hollow  where  he  had  pitched 
his  camp,  leaning  moodily  upon  a  rifle,  his  eyes  fixed  upot? 


l6o      JACK  HARKAWAY  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

the  ground  and  his  mind  engrossed  with  thought.  The  rustle 
of  the  contessa's  dress  roused  him  from  his  reverie. 

"  You  are  thoughtful,"  she  said. 

"  I  am  tired  of  inaction,"  he  replied,  "  and  1  burn  to  show 
these  English  that  I  have  got  the  power  and  the  will  to  work 
them  harm." 

"  Would  that  we  could  retire  in  safety,"  she  said. 

"  I  expected  that  my  threats  about  the  child  would  induce 
Harkaway  to  listen  to  the  terms  I  have  proposed." 

"  And  will  he  not  ?  " 

"  He  makes  no  sign,"  remarked  Barboni.  gloomily.  "To- 
day I  will  move  the  camp  nearer  the  plain,  and  if  I  see  » 
chance  of  escaping,  I  will  retire  to  Sicily,  though  I  fear  there 
is  more  safety  in  the  mountains  than  on  the  coast,  which,  with 
the  price  set  upon  my  head,  is  sure  to  be  well  guarded." 

"You  laughed  at  my  prediction,"  said  the  contessa. 

"  Because  you  prophesied  that  you  were  to  die  on  your 
twenty-seventh  birthyay." 

"  It  was  the  sibyl's  prediction. " 

"  No  matter,  the  day  is  gone,  and  you  are  still  alive." 

"  I  find  I  made  a  mistake  in  the  day,"  replied  the  contessa, 
with  a  shiver. 

"  A  mistake  ?  " 

"Yes;  my  troubles  have  made  me  confuse  dates.  It  is 
to-day  that  I  am  twenty-seven,  and  the  shadow  of  death 
already  encompasses  me.  When  I  am  gone,  should  you 
think  of  me,  make  me  a  grave  on  the  mountains  where  the 
sunbeams  rest  when  they  promise  a  glorious  morrow." 

"  You  will  not  die,"  replied  Barboni,  though  his  face  showed 
that  he  was  ill  at  ease. 

He  was  of  a  superstitious  nature,  and  his  confidence  in  the 
prophetic  power  of  the  old  witch,  his  mother,  had  always 
been  very  strong. 

"  Where  is  the  child  ?  "  asked  Barboni. 

"  He  sleeps." 

Suddenly  the  contessa  turned  her  head,  and  uttered  a  loud 
cry. 

The  wolf  that  Monday  had  seen  near  the  encampment, 
and  which,  being  well  known  to  the  brigands,  was  allowed 
to  stroll  about  at  will,  and  eat  up  such  scraps  and  offal  as  he 
could  find,  ran  in  at  the  opening  of  the  tent  in  which  the 
child  was  sleeping. 

"  The  wolf  !  the  wolf  ! "  exclaimed  the  contessa. 


JACK  HARK  AW  AY  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.       161 

"Where?"  demanded  Barboni. 

She  pointed  to  the  tent,  from  which  the  wolf  emerged  bearing 
something  in  his  mouth. 

It  was  young  Jack,  who,  alarmed  at  the  attack  of  the  wolfi 
clung  tightly  to  the  animal's  neck. 

The  animal  clambered  up  the  bush-covered  side  of  the  pit, 
and  made  off  with  his  prey. 

Barboni  raised  his  rifle  to  his  shoulder. 
But  he  hesitated  to  fire  for  fear  of  killing  the  child. 
The  momentary  hesitation  enabled  the  creature  to  escape 
with  his  precious  burden. 

"Curse  the  wolf!"  said  Barboni.     "Santo  Dio!  what  is  the 
meaning  of  this?" 

"The  savage  brute  will  kill  the  child,"  said  the  contessa. 
"Away,  there,  a  dozen  of  you!     After  the  wolf,  and  bring  back 
the  brat  alive  or  dead." 

Several  brigands  began  to  ascend  the  side  of  the  hollow  in 
which  they  were  camped. 

The  foremost  one  had  scarcely  reached  the  top  of  the    en- 
closure, when  a  report  was  heard,  and  he  fell  back,  throwing  up 
his  arms,  and  rolled  a  corpse  at  the  feet  of  his  comrades. 
"Betrayed     or     surprised,"     cried     Barboni.     "Per     Baccho! 
the  soldiers  are  upon  us.     Back,  for  your  life,  Bianca,  back!" 

He  had  scarcely  uttered  the  words,  when  the  brow  of  tha 
cliff  was  alive  with  enemies. 

"Fire,    idiots,    fire!     Pour   in   a   volley,    quick;   or,   cospetto! 
we  die  like  rats  in  a  pit,"  continued  the  brigand  chief. 

Hunston  and  his  men  were  not  slow  in  obeying  this  order. 
An   irregular  volley  was   fired,   followed   by   a   steady   dis- 
charge all  along  the  military  line. 
Soldiers  and  brigands  both  fell  fast. 

The  contessa  threw  herself  before  Barboni,  heroically  ex- 
posing her  own  life  to  save  him. 

In  vain  he  strove  to  persuade  her  to  fly. 

"Seek  the  private  pass,"  he  cried;  "you  know  it  well;  it  will 
take  you  through  the  rock.     If  you  love  me,  fly,  Bianca!" 
"No,"  she  replied,  bravely,  "my  place  is  at  your  side." 
"This  is  madness,"  he  replied,  firing  his  revolver  point  blank 
at  the  soldiers  who  were  swarming  down  the  sides. 
"This  day  will  I  fulfil  my  destiny,"  was  the  calm  reply. 

The  English  had  been  a  little  behind  the  soldiers  in  the  first 
attack,  but  nothing  could  check  their  impetuosity  when  the 
firing  began. 


1 62      JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

Harkaway  and  his  friends  poured  down  into  the  hollow. 

Bullets  flew  wildly  around  them,  but  the  fire  of  the  brigands 
was  beginning  to  slacken,  and  only  a  few  remained  alive  and 
unwounded. 

"  Death  to  the  brigand  !  Down  with  Barboni  !  "  cried  the 
/ittle  coxswain,  who  scrambled  down  amongst  the  furze  and 
brushwood. 

It  was  an  exciting  scene,  though  the  vision  was  somewhat 
obscured  by  the  cloud  smoke  proceeding  from  the  powder, 
which  now  enveloped  the  hollow  as  if  with  a  misty  haze  aris- 
ing from  a  morning  fog. 

Barboni  saw  Walter  hurrying  toward  him,  and  taking 
steady  aim,  discharged  his  pistol. 

The  bullet  lodged  in  his  leg,  and  with  a  cry  of  rage  the 
/ittle  coxswain  toppled  heavily  down,  and  lay  helpless  on  the 
sward  by  the  side  of  a  dead  brigand. 

Jack  was  in  the  hollow  first,  and  levelling  a  pistol,  ex- 
claimed, hoarsely — 

"  My  child,  villain — my  child  !  " 

The  contessa  placed  herself  before  Barboni,  and  by  so  doing 
disarranged  his  aim,  so  that  two  bullets  flew  over  Jack's  head. 

At  the  same  moment  Jack  fired,  in  a  frenzy  of  desperation, 
and  the  ball  entered  the  breast  of  the  contessa. 

The  prophecy  was  fulfilled. 

Casting  a  glance  of  love  at  Barboni,  her  lips  softly  mur- 
mured the  words — 

"  Caro  mio  sposo  !  " 

She  sank  to  the  ground,  her  eyes  closed,  and  all  that  was 
mortal  of  the  beautiful  and  accomplished  Contessa  Di  Mala- 
fedi  had  passed  away  for  ever. 

The  brigand  uttered  a  howl  like  that  of  a  wild  beast. 

For  years  he  had  been  secretly  married  to  this  woman,  and 
he  loved  her. 

It  seemed  as  if  every  human  being  that  he  cared  for  was 
to  be  cut  off  and  taken  from  him,  until  he  stood  alone  in  the 
world,  like  an  aged  tree  stripped  of  all  its  branches,  tower 
ing  grandly  in  the  forest  with  its  gnarled  and  naked  trunk. 

He  stifled  his  grief,  and  choking  back  a  sob  which  rose 
unbidden  to  his  lips,  the  man  of  blood  and  iron  prepared 
once  more  to  face  his  enemies. 

His  pistol  was  empty. 

The  seven  chambers  had  been  fired,  and  he  had  no  time 
to  load  again. 


it.(,R.  KARA  A  WAY  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.       163 

Tha  smoke  cleared  off  slightly,  and  he  got  a  glimpse  of  a 
t'jiad,  at  which  he  threw  his  pistol  with  crushing  effect. 

It  was  Harvey,  who  fell  stunned. 

Feeling  for  his  sword,  he  drew  it  from  the  scabbard,  and 
began  to  slash  right  and  left. 

"  yi  saiuta  Barboni !  " 

His  battle  cry  rang  out  loudly  and  proudly  on  the  morning 
air. 

'•'  Hold  on,  and  let  them  have  it !  I'm  here,"  said  Hun- 
s'/on. 

"  Back  to  back,"  replied  Barboni. 

Hunston  placed  his  back  against  that  of  his  chief,  and 
zhey  kept  off  all  assailants. 

"  Vi  saiuta  Barboni ! "  again  cried  the  brigand. 

"  I'm  a-coming,  signer,"  said  Bigamini.  "  You  drop  'em, 
noble  signer,  and  I'll  stab  'em  with  my  knife.  Oh,  ain't  it 
getting  jolly  hot  1  " 

The  soldiers  had  been  obliged  to  give  up  the  hope  of  being 
able  to  shoot  ail  the  brigands,  because  the  bravery  of  the 
English  had  induced  them  to  storm  the  hollow. 

If  they  continued  to  fire,  they  might  kill  friends  as  well  as 
foes. 

The  bugle  sounded — - 

"  Cease  firing." 

Those  up  above  could  oi/ly  guess  what  was  going  on  below. 

But  they  did  not  much  care  for  the  English,  and  if  the  lat- 
ter chose  to  rush  like  demons  to  the  attack,  they  might  fight 
it  out,  for  all  the  Italians  cared. 

The  combatants  in  the  hollow  looked  like  a  body  of  ghosts 
fighting  amid  sulphurous  fumes  arising  from  the  bottomless 
pit. 

Lord  St.  Clair  found  himself  opposed  to  Hunston,  while 
Jack  and  Barboni  were  making  the  sparks  fly  from  their 
swords. 

"  Hullo,  there  !  Who's  who,  and  which  is  which  ?  Clear 
the  aack !  Tm  on  the  grand  rampage,  and  I  guess  it's  a 
case  of  fee-fi-fo-fum,  I  smell  the  blood  of  a  brigand  !  And 
I'm  going  in  some  strong — rather ! — a  few  !  "  exclaimed  Sam. 

He  groped  his  way  through  the  smoke,  and  stumbled  over 
dead  bodies  at  every  step. 

All  the  brigands,  except  Baiboni,  Hunston,  and  Bigamini, 
had  either  fallen  or  were  so  alarmed  at  the  surprise  that  they 
had  run  away. 


164       JACK  HARK  AW  AY  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

"  Help!  help!"  cried  a  feeble  voice. 
"Who  are  you?"  asked  Sam. 

"A  brigand's  got  me  by  the  throat.     It's  Mr.   Mole — help! 
I — I  tumbled  down  the  bank — help!" 

Sam  went  on  his  hands  and  knees,  and  found  the  professor 
in  the  grasp  of  a  wounded  brigand,  who  was  trying  to  find  his 
knife  to  kill  him. 

But  he  had  dropped  it  somewhere,  which  little  accident 
had  saved  Mr.  Mole's  life. 

The  misty  atmosphere  began  to  lift  now  the  firing  had  ceased. 

Sam  distinguished  Mr.   Mole  from  the  brigand,  and,  club- 
bing his  rifle,  brought  it  down  on  the  skull  of  the  latter  with 
a  force  that  made  the  brains  fly  in  all  directions. 
"Guess  he's  started  for  kingdom  come,  and  hasn't  got  a  return- 
ticket,"  he  said,  complacently. 

Jack,  meanwhile,  had  pressed  the  brigand  kard,  but  the 
excitement  from  which  he  was  suffering  on  his  child's  account 
seemed  to  unnerve  him. 

This  gave  Barboni  an  advantage  over  his  opponent,  which 
he  was  not  slow  to  seize. 

Making  a  feint,  as  if  he  would  threaten  his  heart,  he  low- 
ered his  sword,  and  lunged  at  his  leg,  recovering  immediately, 
and  again  menacing  the  vital  part. 

Jack  had  parried  the  thrust  in  carte,  but  the  rapid  recov- 
ery, and  the  lunge  in  tierce  were  too  much  for  him,  and  Bar- 
boni's  sword  struck  him  in  the  side,  glancing  along  the  ribs, 
inflicting  a  flesh  wound  of  a  painful  nature. 

Wild  with  rage,  and  smarting  with  pain,  Jack  dashed  boldly 
within  the  brigand's  guard,  and  shortening  his  sword,  plunged 
the  point  at  his  breast. 

Thanks  to  the  thick  coat  of  chain  mail  which  he  always 
wore,  the  sword  broke  up  into  small  pieces,  as  if  it  had  been 
shattered  against  a  block  of  iron,  or  like  a  piece  of  glass  shivered 
to  atoms  against  a  brick  wall. 
"Ha,  ha!"  laughed  Barboni;  "I  have  you  now." 

He  raised  his  sword,  and  prepared  to  plunge  it  into  his  heart. 

All  at  once  Hunston,  who  formed  a  support  for  his  back, 
gave  way,  and  this  sudden  release  caused  him  to  stagger  back 
some  steps. 
"In  the  fiend's  name  "  cried  Barboni,  "what  are   you  about?" 


JACK  HARK  AW  AY  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.       165 

"I'm  wounded,"   replied   Hunston;   "my  one  arm's  pierced. 
Fly;  I  can  fight  no  longer." 
"Retreat,"  said  Barboni;  "I  will  guard  the  rear." 

Hunston  went  rapidly  to  a  secret  pass,  the  existence  of 
which  was  not  known  to  the  enemy,  and,  preceded  by  Big- 
amini,  reached  it. 

Lord  St.  Clair  and  Clear-the-Track  Sam  contested  every 
inch  of  ground  with  the  brigand,  who  fought  with  a  skill,  a 
nobleness,  a  calmness,  which  commanded  their  admiration 
in  spite  of  their  hatred  for  the  man  who,  from  his  crimes,  v/as 
to  them  a  detestable  monster. 

When  he  neared  the  secret  pass,  the  brigand  exerted  all 
his  skill,  and,  with  a  sudden  twist  of  the  wrist,  disarmed  Lord 
St.  Clair. 

At  the  same  time  he  dealt  him  a  blow  on  the  temple,  which 
brought  him  senseless  to  the  ground. 

Then  he  flung  his  sword  at  Sam,  who,  struck  in  the  chest, 
rolled  over  and  over  in  a  very  undignified  manner. 

Stooping  down,  the  brigand  seized  the  insensible  body  of  Lord 
St.  Clair  in  his  arms. 

Carrying  him  as  if  he  had  been  a  baby,  he  darted  into  the 
secret  pass. 

Hunston  was  awaiting  him. 
"Close  the  pass!"  he  exclaimed. 

"I  can't.     My  arm  is  useless.     Curse  Harkaway  to  all  eternity 
or  making  me  a  cripple,"  he  said,  savagely, 
"Where  is  Bigaminif" 
"Here,  noble  signor." 
"Take  this  man,  quick,"  said  Barboni. 

The  burden  was  transferred  to  the  spy,  and  the  chief  put 
his  shoulder  to  a  loose  block  of  stone  poised  on  a  shelf. 

It  had  been  placed  there  for  the  purpose  of  blocking  the 
pass. 

Very  heavy  and  massive  was  it. 

For  a  time  it  resisted  all  the  exertions  of  Barboni  to  dis- 
lodge it. 

Loud  and  fierce  cries  rang  in  his  ears. 

"After  him!  after  him!"  cried  Jack,  who  had  recovered  from 
the  momentary  faintness  caused  by  his  wound.  "The  mur- 
derer of  my  child  shall  not  escape." 

Clear-the-Track   had   picked   himself  up,   and   ran   towards 
the  rocky  pass. 
"I  guess  he's  a  gone  'coon,"  he  said. 


166       JACK  HARKA  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

But  just  as  Sam,  with  Jack  after  him,  had  reached  tha 
mouth  of  the  pass,  which  formed  a  secret  outlet  to  the  en- 
closure, Barboni  made  a  prodigious  effort. 

The  stone  fell  and  blocked  the  entrance. 

Jack  and  Sam  stood  blankly  regarding  this  impediment  to 
their  further  progress. 

"  Snakes  !  "  said  Clear-the-Track,  scratching  his  head, 
''that's  a  settler.  I  reckon  we  were  just  a  whisper  too  late." 

Jack  clambered  up  <he  side  of  the  hollow  to  urge  the 
commander  of  the  soldiers  to  go  in  pursuit. 

Seeing  that  the  brigands  were  defeated,  the  officer  sent 
his  men  in  detachments  to  scour  the  country. 

Jack  returned  to  the  hollow,  which  .vas  now  free  from 
smoke,  and  was  able  to  see  the  extent  of  the  damage  done. 

The  brigands  had  fought  well  and  bravely ;  not  one  had 
attempted  to  escape,  as  f^'-and-twenty  dead  and  wounded 
n>en  testified. 

As  many  as  thirty  soidiers  had  fallen,  which  showed  that 
the  resistance  had  been  a  desperate  one. 

Among  the  wounded,  Jack  found  the  little  coxswain,  who 
was  swearing  terribly  over  the  ball  which  had  lodged  in  his 
leg. 

Monday  had  fallen  early  in  the  fight,  with  a  contusion  jn 
the  head,  caused  by  a  blow  from  the  butt  end  of  a  rift'.. 

Lord  St.  Clair  was  carried  off  by  the  retreating  brigands 

Harvey  had  received  some  ugly  knocks  and  bruises. 

Mr.  Mole,  recovered  from  his  fright,  was  strutting  about 
like  a  hen  that  has  just  laid  an  egg,  and  was  equally  vain- 
glorious. 

The  body  of  the  contessa,  bathed  in  blood,  was  on  the  grass 

Jack,  however,  had  no  time  to  pay  attention  to  al)  the 
melancholy  objects  that  met  his  gaze. 

He  had  but  one  thought  in  his  mind,  and  that  was  to 
search  for  his  child. 

T'ke  tents  were  explored,  and  every  part  of  the  encamp 
ment  searched,  without  any  result. 

Young  Jack  was  not  to  be  found. 

No  one  was  there  to  tell  him  that  the  boy  had  been  car- 
ried off  by  the  wolf,  and  he  came  to  the  conclusion  that  he 
was  dead. 

Barboni  had  sert  him  a  pair  of  ears  and  a  child's  hand  as 
a  present,  and  he  could  not  help  thinking  that  bis  darling 
was  qo  more. 


JACK  HARKA  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.      167 

Sitting  down,  regardless  of  the  pain  of  his  wound  and  the 
faitness  caused  by  the  loss  of  blood,  Jack  gave  himself  up  to 
iiis  grief. 

He  dared  not  go  home  to  Emily,  and  say  that  their  boy 
was  dead. 

Such  an  announcement,  in  Emily's  state  of  health,  would 
most  likely  prostrate  her  to  such  an  extent,  that  she  would 
never  be  able  to  recover  from  the  shock. 

"  I'll  hunt  him  to  the  death,"  said  Jack.  "  It  shall  be  life 
for  life." 

Being  a  brave  man,  and  one  not  accustomed  to  go  to  sleep 
when  there  was  any  thing  to  be  done,  Jack  got  up  and  tied 
a  scarf  tightly  round  his  bleeding  side,  which,  though  stift 
and  painful,  did  not  represent  any  internal  injury. 

Mr.  Mole  approached,  and  said — 

"  Safe  and  sound,  I  hope,  Harkaway,  after  this  fearful 
combat  ?  " 

"  The  villain  has  escaped,  sir,  and  I  am  in  doubt  about 
the  fate  of  my  child,"  replied  Jack.  "That's  wr.at  worries 
me." 

"  We  shall  soon  capture  him.  After  this  defeat,  the  fellow 
must  be  on  his  beam  ends,  as  we  used  to  say  when  we  wenf 
at  sea,"  answered  Mole. 

"Yes,"  said  Jack,  smiling  grimly.  "We  have  cut  his 
claws,  but  he  alone  knows  the  secret  of  my  child,  and  in  ad- 
dition to  that,  he  has  carried  off  our  ornament  to  the  peer- 
age." 

"  Nonsense  ! "  said  Mole.  "  Is  Lord  St.  Clair  a  pris- 
oner ? " 

"  He  was  carried  off  before  my  face,  and  I  couldn't  stop 
it." 

"  Dear  me  !  It  is  a  pity  I  was  so  busy  in  another  part  of 
the  field,  or  I  certainly  should  not  have  allowed  it.  Really, 
Harkaway,  I  shall  have  to  kill  the  brigand,  after  all.  You 
youngsters  seem  to  let  him  do  as  he  likes  with  you." 

Jack  turned  crossly  away. 

Those-who  had  been  wounded  were  carefully  attended  to, 
carts  were  procured,  and  they  were  conveyed  back  to  Naples. 

Clear-the-Track  Sam,  Jack,  and  Mr.  Mole,  remained  en- 
camped in  the  hills. 

Barboni,  Hunston,  and  Bigamini,  were  the  only  ones  left 
out  of  the  brigand's  large  band  to  oppose  them. 

It  was  three  to  three. 


1 68    JACK  HARK  AW  AY  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

An  equal  match. 

They  took  possession  of  the  empty  encampment  lately 
occupied  by  the  brigands,  and  receiving  a  store  of  provisions, 
determined  to  keep  the  ground. 

"If  we  can't  render  an  account  of  Barboni  and  his  one-armed 
lieutenant,  it's  a  pity,"  said  Clear-the-Track. 

"I  have  no  fear  of  not  running  him  to  earth,  sooner  or  later," 
answered  Jack.  "But  I  am  so  cut  up  at  the  loss  of  my  boy. 
I  wouldn't  have  lost  the  little  fellow  for  the  world.  He  was 
such  a  beauty." 

"That's  the  simple  truth,"  remarked  Mr.  Mole.  "And  as 
his  tutor,  I  ought  to  know  his  worth,  and  I  unhesitatingly 
declare  that  the  boy  was  a  prodigy." 

"I  don't  know  what  a  prod — what  did  you  sayf"  asked  Sam. 

"Prodigy,  sir.     It  is  a  term  which " 

"Never  mind  what  it  is.  I  say  the  boy  was  a  cock,  a  little 
stunner,  and  I  never  will  believe  he's  dead.  He's  hidden  away 
somewhere." 

"I  wish  to  goodness  I  could  think  so,"  replied  Jack. 

"You  go  to  sleep  on  it,  and  you'll  think  better  of  it  in  the 
morning."  replied  the  American.  "I'll  go  and  nose  about 
a  bit  with  a  rifle.  The  thundering  thieves  aint'  far  off,  I'll 
bet  a  hat." 

Clear-the-Track  Sam  shouldered  the  rifle. 

"Barboni  fought  well,"  he  observed. 

"Yes.     I'll  give  him  credit  for  that,"  replied  Mr.  Mole. 

"You,  sir!"  said  Jack.     "Why,  you  never  were  near  him." 

"I  fought  with  him,  Harkaway,  for  fifteen  minutes,  by  my 
watch,  only  you  didn't  see  me  in  the  fog." 

"Ah,  the  fog  was  thick,"  said  Sam,  with  a  wink. 

"No,  no,  Harkaway,"  continued  Mr.  Mole,  "give  me  credit 
for  what  I  do.  Go  to  sleep,  as  our  Yankee  friend  recommends, 
and  I  will  have  a  quiet  pipe  and  a  pull  out  of  my  cask." 

He  unslung  his  cask,  while  Jack  crept  into  a  tent  and  threw 
himself  on  scm3  blankets. 

Sam.  started  on  an  exploring  expedition,  and  all  was  still. 
The  dead  and  wounded  alike  were  gone. 

All  that  remained  to  remind  the  observer  of  the  bloody 
scene  which  had  recently  taken  place  were  the  cartridges 
lying  about,  the  now  useless  rifles  and  pistols,  a  few  articles 


JACK  HARK  AW  AY  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.     169 

of  clothing,  and  the  clotted  blood,  festering  in  the  rays  of  the 
burning  sun. 

Mr.  Mole  soon  fell  into  a  happy  state. 

He  had  seated  himself  in  a  shady  spot,  and  what  with  whisky 
and  tobacco,  he  quickly  dozed  off. 

He  woke  up  with  a  start,  fancying  there  was  someone  about 
the  camp. 
"This  won't  do,"  he  muttered,  rubbing  his  eyes. 

Before  him  was  a  strange  animal  with  his  nose  on  the  ground. 

Looking  again,  he  saw  it  was  a  wolf,  who  was  engaged  in 
the  congenial  occupation  of  licking  up  the  blood  which  crim- 
soned the  ground. 

"Hi!  get  out,  you  beast.  Be  off!"  said  Mr.  Mole,  clapping 
his  hands. 

The  wolf  gave  a  leap  and  was  rapidly  out  of  sight. 
"Curious  things  ,wolves,"  muttered  Mr.  Mole,  applying  him- 
self once  more  to  the  flask. 

There  was  an  audible  gurgle  as  the  spirit  went  down  his 
throat. 

"Curious  things,  brigands,"  he  continued.  "Wonder  wha 
the  next  move  will  be.  Very  curious  things,  wolves — funny 
things,  brigands — hie — bother  this  whisky,  it'sg  one  the 
wrong — hie — way." 

A  violent  fit  of  coughing  stopped  the  current  of  his  remarks, 
and  when  he  recovered  himself  he  went  to  sleep  again,  mur- 
muring— 

"Curious  things,  brigands— hie — very  curious  things — hie 
— wolves — hie." 


CHAPTER  LXV. 

TORO,   THE    GIANT. 

BEATEN,  but  not  conquered,  the  brigand  chief  retreated  to 
the  plain  by  passes  only  known  to  himself. 

Hunston  followed  him  in  a  dejected  manner,  for  the  defeat 
they  had  suffered  and  the  destruction  of  the  band,  added  to 
the  suffering  caused  him  by  his  wound,  had  caused  his  spirits 
to  sink  very  low. 

Lord  St.  Clair  was  given  into  Bigamini's  charge,  and  the 
latter  had  bound  the  arms  of  his  captive  with  a  rope  behind 


170     JACK  HA RKA  WA  Y  AMONG  THE 

his  back,  keeping  hold  of  we  end  of  the  rope  to  prevent 
him  running  away,  and  prodding  him  with  the  point  of  a 
sword  as  drovers  goad  oxen  on  the  road  to  market. 

"  Hold  up  there  ! "  he  would  exclaim  if  his  prisoner  stum- 
bled. "Gee  up!  now  then,  stupio,  what  are  you  at?  I'll 
teach  you  the  rule  of  three." 

Each  sentence  would  be  accompanied  by  a  prick,  which 
the  wretched  young  noblemar?  was  unable  to  resent. 

All  that  day  they  travelled,  obtaining  refreshments  at 
labourers'  cottages  by  the  roadside. 

For  these,  all  three  were  well  able  to  pay,  as  each  had  a 
very  large  sum  of  money  in  gold,  notes  and  jewels,  fastened 
in  an  indiarubber  belt,  tied  round  the  waist,  under  his  other 
clothes. 

This  money  was  the  result  of  successful  brigandage. 

Barboni  had  nearly  twenty  thousand  pounds,  Hunstonten, 
and  Bigamini  nearly  two  thousand. 

The  river  was  crossed  by  Barboni,  who  was  too  prudent  a 
^oan  to  linger  in  the  vicinity  of  his  defeat. 

Round  the  base  of  Mount  Vesuvius  the  region,  in  parts, 
was  very  wild  and  desolate. 

Here  he  determined  to  seek  an  asylum  for  a  time. 

It  was  night  when  they  came  to  the  end  of  their  journey, 
and  Lord  St.  Clair  was  ready  to  sink  to  the  earth  with 
fatigue. 

The  others,  being  more  hardy  and  accustomed  to  priva- 
tion and  exposure,  did  not  feel  the  weariness  that  oppressed 
him,  though  they  too  were  glad  of  a  halt. 

Stars  innumerable  studded  the  heavens,  and  the  crescent 
moon  shone  on  the  fair  scene. 

Vineyards  were  all  around,  and  the  smiling  country  lay 
wrapt  in  a  calm  repose,  which  gave  the  beholder  little  idea 
of  the  volcanic  dangers  lurking  beneath  their  feet. 

At  times  fitful  gleams  of  flame  shot  up  from  the  crater. 

Vesuvius  had  been  very  unquiet  of  late,  and  had  given 
many  symptoms  of  erupting,  which,  accompanied  by  shocks 
of  earthquake,  had  alarmed  the  population  of  the  surround- 
ing country. 

But  they,  accustomed  to  those  manifestations,  shrugged 
their  shoulders,  hoping  that  nothing  more  serious  than  usual 
would  happen. 

At  the  foot  of  the  mountain  was  a  house  made  of  blocks. 
of  lava,  half  hidden  by  vines  and  climbing  plants. 


fA  CK  HARKA  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.       1 7 1 

mis  was  scarcely  perceptible  to  an  ordinary  observer, 
though  well  known  to  Barboni  and  Hunston,  as  they  had 
erected  it  as  a  refuge  when  in  that  part. 

It  was  the  custom  of  the  brigands  to  make  little  resting 
places  of  this  sort  in  various  localities  to  serve  as  asylums  in 
case  they  were  hunted  about  and  driven. 

In  these  rude  huts  or  shanties,  which  were  respected  by 
the  peasants,  owing  to  their  fear  of  the  brigands,  they  kept 
a  supply  of  potted  and  tinned  meats,  so  that  they  were 
always  sure  of  finding  provisions. 

In  addition  to  this,  they  buried  jars  of  wine  and  spirits  in 
the  earth,  marking  the  spot  so  as  to  know  where  to  dig  for 
them  when  wanted. 

"  Here  we  are,"  said  Hunston. 

"  Time  enough  too,"  growled  Barboni,  "  Bigamini." 

"  Si,  signor,"  returned  the  spy. 

"  Fasten  the  prisoner  to  a  tree  and  set  about  getting  some 
supper.  It  is  quite  fourteen  hours  since  I  broke  my  fast." 

"  Same  here,  governor,"  muttered  Bigamini,  as  he  pro- 
ceeded to  bind  Lord  St.  Clair  to  the  nearest  tree. 

Barboni  approached  the  hut  and  dre.v  back  with  a  cry  of 
surprise. 

There  was  a  light  burning  inside,  and  the  sound  of  men's 
voices  singing  a  rude  chorus  reached  his  ears. 

"  Diavolo  !  "  he  cried  ;  "  what  is  this  ?  " 

He  approached  the  door  and  fearlessly  flung  it  back,  ex- 
pecting to  find  a  party  of  peasants  carousing. 

But  his  surprise  was  great  when  he  discovered  half  a 
dozen  armed  men,  who  sprang  to  their  feet  with  fierce  oaths 
at  beholding  the  intruder. 

Pistols  were  levelled  at  his  breast,  and  his  retreat  was 
cut  off. 

Calm  and  majestic  as  usual  in  the  midst  of  danger,  he 
uttered  his  famous  cry — 

"  Vi  saluta  Barboni !  " 

At  the  sound  of  that  magic  name,  the  men  lowered  their 
weapons  and  their  leader  stepped  forward. 

He  was  a  huge  giant  of  a  man,  standing  nearly  eight  feet 
high,  and  stout  in  proportion. 

In  his  right  hand  he  held  a  large  club,  made  out  of  the 
root  of  a  tree,  weighing  half  a  hundredweight. 

He  seemed  to  be  a  veritable  Orson,  or  wild  man  of  the 
woods. 


172    JACK  HARK  AW  AY  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

His  hair  was  long,  shaggy  as  a  goat's,  and  unkempt.  Over 
his  shoulders  he  wore  a  sheepskin,  and  a  rough  leather  belt 
contained  pistols  and  daggers. 

"Who  are  you?"  demanded  Barboni. 

"Ha,  ha!"  laughed  the  giant,  whirling  the  club  round  his 
head  as  a  Tipperary  boy  might  a  shillelagh  at  Donnybrook 
Fair.  "That  is  a  nice  question  to  come  from  you." 

"I  am  a  brigand,  and  you  are  in  my  house,"  replied  Barboni. 

"So  are  we  all  brigands,  for  that  matter,  but  why  you  should 
call  this  your  house,  cospetto!  is  more  than  I  can  tell." 

"I  built  it." 

"Santissima  Virgine!  can  you  be  the  great  brigand?" 

"Vi  saluta  Barboni!"  was  the  calm  reply. 

"If  you  are  Barboni,  I'll  make  you  heartily  welcome,  for 
I  am  treading  in  your  footsteps.  My  name  is  Toro." 

"I  have  heard  of  you,"  replied  Barboni;  "you  are  the  new 
brigand  who  has  lately  established  himself  at  the  base  of  Mount 
Vesuvius." 

"The  same." 

"Well  met.     Your  hand." 

The  giant  held  out  his  enormous  palm,  which  Barboni  shook 
heartily. 

"Come  in  and  welcome,"  said  Toro.  "I  little  thought  I 
should  have  the  honour  of  entertaining  so  illustrious  a  brother." 

"In  his  own  house,  too,"  said  Barboni. 

"Per  Baccho,  if  it  is  your  house,  it  is  a  pity  you  did  not  furnish 
it  better,"  replied  the  giant. 

"What  fault  have  you  to  find  with  it?"  asked  Barboni. 

"There  are  neither  chairs,  tables,  eatables  or  drinkables." 

"That  is  because  you  do  not  know  where  to  find  them.  Pres- 
ently I  will  supply  your  wants.  I  am  hunted  and  driven." 

"Cospetto!" 

"The  Bersaglieri  have  destroyed  my  band  this  morning.  I 
am  a  fugitive,  tired  and  weary.  If  you  will  receive  me,  well 
and  good.  If  not,  I  am  in  no  position  to  enforce  my  demands, 
and  will  go  elsewhere." 

"Amico  mis,"  said  Toro,  "you  shall  do  no  such  thing.  What 
I  have  is  yours;  my  band  is  small;  I  have  as  yet  but  five 
followers,  but  they  shall  shed  the  last  drop  of  their  blood  for 
you.  Eh,  my  lads?" 


JACK  HARK  AW  A  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.       1 73 

A  clapping  of  hands  followed,  and  a  general  murmur 
of  assent  arose  from  all  the  brigands  assembled. 

Barboni  bowed  his  acknowledgments. 

"How  many  men  have  you  left?"  asked 'Toro. 

"My  lieutenant  and  a  spy,  who  has  charge  of  a  pris- 
oner, an  Englishman." 

Deep  groans  were  heard. 

"I  hate  the  English,"  said  Toro.     "They  have  hunted 
you  down,  which  is  what  our  own  countrymen  never 
would  have  done,  and  it  is  a  burning  shame  to  see 
splendid  brigand  like  yourself  in  disgrace." 

"Not  in  disgrace,"  replied  Barboni,  proudly.  "I  have 
been  beaten  by  numbers,  owing  to  a  surprise,  but  we 
made  a  good  stand,  and  I  believe  that  for  each  of  my 
men  who  fell,  the  enemy  lost  double." 

"Pardonme,"  said  the  giant.  "Imadeuseofawrongterm. 

"Let  us  have  meat  and  drink, "replied  Barboni,  "and 
you  shall  do  what  you  like  with  the  English  prisoner." 

"Viva  Barboni!  viva!  viva!"  cried  the  brigands. 

Hunston  had  been  standing  at  the  entrance  to  the  hut, 
with  his  hand  upon  his  pistol  ready  for  any  emergency. 

He  was  faint  and  weak  from  loss  of  blood,  and  enter- 
ing the  hut,  sat  down  among  the  brigands,  who  made 
room  for  him. 

"Bigamini,"  said  Barboni,  in  a  loud  voice,  "dig  up  the 
wine  and  spirits;  you  know  where  they  are  hidden." 

While  the  spy  was  engaged  in  this  congenial  occupa- 
tion, the  chief  rolled  away  a  block  of  lava,  and  disclosed 
to  view  a  choice  assortment  of  meats  in  tins,  which  were 
eagerly  pounced  upon  by  Toro  and  his  men. 

After  a  good  meal,  which  was  washed  down  by  copious 
draughts  of  wine,  the  brigands  set  a  watch  and  retired  to 
rest,  throwing  themselves  on  the  ground  in  their  long 
cloaks,  and  sleeping  as  soundly  as  if  they  had  been  in  bed. 
Barboni,  Hunstonand  Bigamini  were  thoroughly  worn  out. 

As  for  Lord  St.  Clair,  he  was  utterly  forgotten. 

It  was  enough  for  the  brigands  that  he  was  secured, 
and  they  cared  little  or  nothing  for  his  comfort. 

He  could  not  sleep  in  the  uncomfortable  position  in 
which  they  had  placed  him,  and  longed  ardently  for  the 
approach  of  his  friends,  whom  he  hoped  were  coming  in 
search  of  him. 


,  /4       JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

Vain  hope. 

Willingly  would  Harkaway  have  followed  on  Barboni's 
track,  but  he  had  not  the  slightest  idea  which  way  he  had 
gone,  while  Clear-the-Track  Sam  was  hunting  about  the 
mountains,  where  Barboni  had  left  no  trace  behind  him. 

During  the  night  Vesuvius  became  very  active. 

Great  clouds  of  ashes  and  it^nes  were  thrown  up,  the  earth 
quaked,  and  a  rumbling  noise  like  distant  thunder  warned  all 
those  in  the  vicinity  that  an  eruption  on  a  large  scale  was 
imminent. 

Lord  St.  Clair  could  not  help  admiring  the  magnificent 
spectacle  presented  by  the  burning  mountain,  which  stood 
out  clearly  against  the  bright  sky. 

At  length  his  head  fell  wearily  on  his  shoulder  and  his 
eyes  closed. 

He  thought  of  home,  of  his  proud  position,  his  prospects 
in  life,  all  blighted  by  a  miserable  brigand. 

But  for  this  he  would  not  have  cared  so  much  had  not  his 
capture  prevented  him  from  avenging  the  death  of  his  cousin. 

Cardan's  dying  request  was  that  he  should  come  over  to 
Naples  and  slay  Barboni. 

Fortune  had  been  against  him. 

He  was  a  prisoner,  and,  as  yet,  Tom  Garden  was  unavenged. 


CHAPTER  LXVI. 

THE  ERUPTION  OF  MOUNT  VESUVIUS. 

TOWARDS  daybreak  small  streams  of  burning  lava  de- 
scended the  sides  of  the  mountain. 

These  gradually  increased  in  size  and  strength,  until  they 
became  formidable. 

The  sentinels  saw  the  gleaming  lava  coming  towards 
them. 

It  was  time  to  raise  the  alarm. 

Toro  was  first  roused,  and  the  others  soon  followed  them 
from  the  hut  to  gaze  upon  the  fiery  mountain,  down  whose 
sides  was  pouring  the  insidious  lava. 

The  crater  xvas  in  full  blast,  and  the  sight  was  grand  in 
the  extreme. 

Ijlarboni  g?^ed  at  it  with  his  arms  folded. 


JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.       175 

"We  must  move  from  this  spot,"  he  exclaimed. 

"  What !  "  replied  Toro.  "  Are  you  afraid  of  a  little  lava  ? 
Why,  I  have  seen  it  worse  than  this,  and  ascended  to  the  top 
without  danger." 

"  Nay,"  said  Barboni,  "  'tis  not  that ;  but  the  spectacle 
always  attracts  a  number  of  people  from  Naples,  and  we 
shall  have  those  accursed  English  down  upon  us." 

"  Ah,  that  is  true,  and  it  reminds  me  of  your  prisoner. 
What  do  you  say — shall  we  finish  him  off  before  we  leave 
the  hut?" 

"  As  you  please,"  returned  Barboni,  carelessly. 

"  Who  is  he  ?  " 

"  I  have  not  questioned  him," 

"  But  you  talk  the  heretics'  language.  Question  him 
now,"  said  Toro. 

Barboni  ordered  Bigamini  to  bring  Lord  St.  Clair  before 
him,  which  he  immediately  did. 

The  young  nobleman  was  unabashed,  and  returned  the 
stare  of  his  enemies  boldly. 

"  Who  are  you  ?  "  asked  Barboni. 

"  A  peer  of  England,"  was  the  answered. 

"  Your  name  ? " 

"  Lord  St.  Clair." 

"  What  was  your  object  in  attacking  me,  when  I  had  done 
you  no  harm  ? " 

"  I  wished  to  avenge  the  murder,  by  you,  of  my  cousin — 
Mr.  Garden — and  I  am  sorry  I  did  not  succeed." 

"  So  am  I,  for  your  sake,"  sneered  Barboni.  "  Your  cousin 
bearded  me  once  too  often,  and  has  gone  to — well,  we  will 
say  Paradise  ;  and  you  will  very  shortly  follow  him." 

Turning  to  Toro,  he  added — 

"  Do  what  you  like  with  the  English  hound." 

"Throw  him  into  the  lava,  and  let  him  boil  in  it,"  said 
Toro,  whose  savage  nature  exulted  in  such  a  ferocious  sen- 
tence. 

In  spite  of  his  natural  courage,  Lord  St.  Clair  trembled 
when  he  heard  his  doom. 

The  lava  was  flowing  almost  at  their  feet  in  a  liquid, 
hissing,  smoking,  boiling  stream. 

It  was  an  awful  fate. 

Bigamini  seized  him  by  one  arm,  saying — 

"  Come  on.  You've  had  your  coffee.  Make  room  for  the 
sott  gentleman." 


J76      JACK  HARKA  WA  Y  AMONG   THE  BRIGANDS. 

Turning  to  Barboni,  St.  Clair  said — 

"  Do  you  call  yourself  a  man,  and  will  you  sanction  this 
crime  ? " 

"  Your  life  was  forfeited  when  you  attacked  me,"  an- 
swered Barboni.  "  I  did  not  make  myself  your  enemy.  It 
was  your  act.  What  harm  had  I  done  you  personally, 
that  you  should  thirst  for  my  blood  ?  " 

"  You  killed  my  cousin,  Garden." 

"  In  fair  fight.  He  attacked  me.  True,  I  am  a  brigand, 
but  what  harm  had  I  done  to  any  of  these  Englishmen  ? " 

"  To  the  lava  !  to  the  lava  !  "  cried  the  brigands,  fiercely. 

"  Have  you  no  heart  ?  "  asked  St.  Clair. 

"  My  heart  is  hard  as  iron,"  replied  Barboni. 

"  Spare  my  life.  You  can  have  any  money  you  wish  for 
as  ransom." 

"  I  am  in  no  humour  to  spare  lives.  What  pity  would  you 
have  had  upon  me,  if  your  attack  had  been  successful  and 
you  had  captured  me  ?  It  would  have  been  '  To  the  scaffold 
with  him  ! '  " 

The  brigands  were  growing  impatient  at  this  conversation. 

Again  their  voices  rang  out  on  the  morning  air — 

"  To  the  lava  !  to  the  lava !  " 

"Very  well,"  replied  Lord  St.  Clair;  "you  shall  see  that. 
I  know  how  to  die." 

"  Take  him  away,"  was  Barboni's  only  remark. 

Bigamini  pushed  him  along,  until  the  edge  of  the  stream 
was  reached,  when  he  gave  him  a  violent  kick,  which  sent 
him  on  his  hands  and  knees  into  the  flood. 

The  agony  was  so  great  that  his  lordship  burst  his  bonds. 

He  uttered  an  awful  cry,  and  taking  up  the  burning  lava 
in  his  hands,  he  cast  it  at  Barboni. 

The  molten  stuff  struck  him  in  the  upper  part  of  the  face, 
and  filled  his  eyes. 

It  was  now  the  brigand's  turn  to  cry  out. 

"Shoot  him!  "he  said;  "shoot  him!  He  has  blinded 
me." 

"  Ha  !  "  cried  Lord  St.  Clair  ;  "  Garden  is  avenged. 
Thank  God  for  that  one  mercy." 

The  next  moment  the  rifles  rattled  as  they  were  raised  to 
the  shoulders. 

A  report  was  heard,  and  the  unfortunate  young  nobleman 
fell  riddled  with  balls  into  the  liquid  fire  which  envel- 
oped him. 


JA  CK  HA  RKA  WAY  A  MONO  THE  BRIGANDS.       177 

He  was  dead  ! 

Barboni  was  suffering  the  most  acute  agony,  for  the  lava 
had  entered  his  eyes  and  so  burnt  the  pupils  that  his  sight 
was  gone  for  ever. 

"Blind — blind!"  he  cried,  clutching  at  the  air  with  his 
extended  hands. 

The  brigands  shrank  back,  appalled  at  this  sudden  catas- 
trophe. 

"  Blind — blind  !  "  was  all  that  the  once  famous  and 
dreaded  chief  could  say. 

It  was  a  terrible  retribution  for  all  his  crimes,  as  to  be 
blind  is  a  living  death,  for  the  blind  ma-n  is  dependent  upon 
others  ;  he  can  no  longer  help  himself. 

He  cannot  see  the  pleasant  faces  of  his  friends,  nor  the 
frowning  brows  of  his  foes. 

Neither  can  he  behold  the  smiling  country  ;  all  is  a  deso- 
late blank  to  him,  from  which  he  cannot  emerge  until  he 
reaches  the  other  side  of  the  grave. 

Running  about  frantically,  he  continued  to  exclaim  in  ac- 
cents of  terrible  lamentation — 

"  Blind,  blind  !  Oh,  God,  I  am  blind  I  " 

To  a  man  of  his  habits  and  life,  blindness  was  the  most 
awful  punishment  which  could  have  befallen  him. 

Rather  would  he  that  death  had  come  to  him  at  once. 

Toro  and  his  men  were  bewildered  at  what  had  happened, 
so  much  so  that  they  could  scarcely  believe  it  was  true. 

Hunston  took  the  hand  of  his  chief  and  led  him  into  the 
hut,  where  he  applied  oil  to  his  eyes. 

All  Barboni  could  utter  was,  in  a  moaning  voice — 

"  I  have  lost  my  sight !     Blind,  blind  !  " 

"You  will  be  better  soon,  I  hope,"  replied  Hunston.  "In 
the  meantime  you  are  among  friends." 

"  I  would  rather  die  than  live  like  this.  Oh,  my  punish- 
ment is  more  than  I  can  bear.  Promise  me  you  will  not 
leave  me,  Hunston,  until  I  know  the  worst." 

"  I  promise,"  said  Hunston. 

"  You  must  get  a  skilful  doctor  to  come  and  look  at  me. 
Say  I  am  a  poor  peasant  who  has  met  with  an  accident,  but 
?;ho  has  a  few  ducats  to  pay  him  with.  If  there  is  no  hope, 
"  will  not  live.  Oh,  Holy  Virgin,  how  my  eyeballs  burn  !  " 

Tore-  and  his  men  went  out  to  stop  travellers,  expecting  a 
/ich  harvest,  as  many  people  came  out  from  Naples  to  look 
at  the  burning  mountain. 

12 


178      JACK  HARKA  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

Hunston  departed  in  search  of  a  doctor,  not  sorry  to  have 
to  make  the  journey,  because  his  wounded  arm  required 
dressing. 

Barboni,  the  once  haughty  chief,  was  sadly  reduced  now. 
for  he  was  as  helpless  as  a  child. 

He  sat  in  the  corner  of  the  hut,  bewailing  his  fate,  and 
gnashing  his  teeth  as  the  anguish  caused  him  by  his  eyes 
forced  deep  groans  from  him. 

The  spy  remained  as  his  servant,  but  his  respect  for  his 
master  had  died  out. 

He  felt  a  sort  of  contempt  for  this  blind  man,  who  was  so 
far  dependent  npon  others  as  to  ask  for  a  drink  of  water. 

"  Come  here,"  exclaimed  Barboni ;  "  I  want  to  talk  to 
you." 

"Do  you?"  answered  Bigamini,  insolently;  "then  you 
will  have  to  wait." 

"  Ha  ! "  roared  Barboni,  with  his  old  impetuosity,  "  I  will 
put  a  bullet  through  your  rascally  carcass  if  you  dare  to  be 
insolent  to  me." 

"  Fire  away ;  you  can't  see  to  hit  me." 

With  trembling  hands  the  brigand  seized  a  pistol  which 
was  stuck  in  his  belt,  and  discharged  it  in  the  direction  from 
which  the  spy's  voice  had  proceeded. 

But  Bigamini  had  quickly  removed  his  position,  and 
glided  steathily  up  to  his  master,  knocked  the  pistol  out  of 
his  hand,  and  struck  him  with  his  open  hand  on  the  cheek. 

"  Take  that,"  he  said.  "  If  I  am  a  miserable  Bigamim.  I 
am  not  going  to  stand  your  foolishness." 

"  Santo   Dio  !  "  cried    BarbonJ-     "  Has  it  come  to   this 
Have  I  really  fallen  so  low  ?     f s  my  depth  of  degradation 
shame,  and  helplessness  such  that  I  am  to  brook  blows  and 
insults  from  a  contemptible  worm,  who  a  short  time  back 
trembled  at  my  nod  ? " 

"  You'll  have  to  put  up  with  a  good  deal  more  than  that 
if  you  sauce  me,"  answered  Bigamini, 

"  I  will  complain  to  Toro  of  you ;  he  is  noble  and  gen- 
erous, and  will  have  you  punished." 

"Toro's  not  such  a  fool  as  to  listen  to  a  helpless  animal 
like  you,"  sneered  Bigamini.  "You're  not  the  man  you 
used  to  be.  "  What's  the  good  of  you  since  Lord  St.  Clair 
blinded  you  ?  " 

"  Ah,  Heaven !  I  am  indeed  fallen,  since  this  fellow 
mocJcs  and  gibes  at  me  thus." 


JA  CK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.       1 7  9 

"  Take  it  easy  and  be  civil,  or  I'll  get  a  stick  and  keep  you 
quiet,"  continued  Bigamini,  who,  like  all  little  cowards,  was 
always  a  bully  when  he  got  the  chance. 

"  Well,  well,"  said  Barboni,  controlling  himself  with  an 
effort,  "  I  will  try  to  be  humble,  since  it  is  your  wish,  and  I 
am,  as  you  say,  powerless.  Give  me  some'  wine  and  water, 
good  Bigamini." 

"  That's  civil ;  I  don't  mind  waiting  on  you,  when  you 
speak  sensibly,  like  that.  Only  don't  think  you're  going  to 
ride  over  me  now.  Things  is  altered,  I  tell  you  ;  I'm  master 
now." 

Barboni  groaned  in  agony  of  spirit,  but  made  no  further 
remark,  taking  the  drink  silently. 

There  he  sat  for  hours. 

Retribution,  which  always  dogs  the  heels  of  evil-doers, 
had  been  overtaking  him  with  giant  strides  of  late. 

In  the  afternoon  Bigamini  got  restless. 

"  I  shall  go  out  for  a  bit,"  he  said  to  himself.  "  That 
groaning  fool  gives  me  the  hump." 

Quitting  the  hut,  he  soon  reached  the  road,  along  which 
several  people  were  walking,  attracted  from  Naples  and  the 
surrounding  villages  by  the  magnificent  spectacle  of  Vesu- 
vius in  eruption. 

He  had  not  gone  far  before  something  fell  heavily  on  his 
head,  knocking  his  hat  over  his  eyes,  and  before  he  could 
extricate  himself,  his  hands  were  tightly  bound  behind  his 
back. 

"  What  the  deuce  are  you  up  to  ? "  he  exclaimed,  in  a  rage. 
"  Drop  it,  whoever  you  are !  Turn  it  up,  I  say,  and  look 
sharp." 

"  I'll  drop  you,  if  you're  not  quiet,"  replied  a  voice  which 
made  him  tremble.  "  Oh,  to  think  that  I  should  have  the 
luck  to  find  you  again,  all  through  taking  a  walk  to  look  at 
Vesuvius  a-burnin'  just  like  a  mill  shaft  chimney  afire." 

"  Sarah  Ann,"  said  Figamini,  "  I've  been  a-looking  for  you 
ever  since  our  last  pleasant  meeting." 

"  Oh,  you  story  !  "  answered  the  woman,  for  it  was  his  wife 
who  had  caught  him  ;  you  never  did  no  such  thine.  You've 
been  along  of  brigands,  and  there's  a  reward  out  for  you." 

"  You  won't  give  me  up,  Sarah  Ann  ?  " 

"  That's  what  I  will  do.  I'll  see  you  hanging  on  the  scaf- 
fold, and  then  I'll  go  home  and  forget  I  ever  knew  such  a 
'orrid  wretch  as  you." 


180      JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS, 

"  Lift  up  my  hat,  sweetest  of  thy  sect,  that  I  may  gaze 
upon  your  lovely  countenance  once  more.  Oh,  angelic 
being  !  what  bliss  is  mine  to  meet  my  darling  Sarey  Ann 
once  more  !  "  exclaimed  Bigamini,  in  his  most  wheedling  and 
flowery  tone. 

"  You're  a  'umbug — that's  what  you  are !  "  said  Mrs.  Smif- 
fins,  complying,  however,  with  his  request. 

"  I'm  a  happy  Smiffins  once  more,"  he  continued.  "  This 
is  more  than  I  deserve.  I've  got  money,  my  dear,  and  I'll 
go  home  with  you  to  enjoy  it.  All  shall  be  yours..  Every 
lire  is  for  you." 

"  You  don't  get  over  me,"  answered  Mrs.  Smiffins,  with  a 
shake  of  the  head.  "  I  know  '  I'm  a  young  girl  from  the 
country,  but  you  don't  get  over  me.'  I've  got  you,  and  I'll 
keep  you.  Come  along  of  me,  and  be  handed  over  to  the 
first  police  we  see." 

"If  it  must  be  so,  it  must,  hard-hearted  fair.  But  ere  we 
go,  grant  one  request." 

"  Well,  what  is  it  ?     No  tricks,  now." 

"  My  money  is  buried  close  by  here.  I  should  like  you  to 
have  it." 

"  I  don't  mind  that  It  ain't  likely  to  be  any  use  to  you, 
so  I  may  as  well  take  it  to  start  me  ir  business  again  when 
you're  gone." 


CHAPTER  LXVII. 

MRS.  SMIFFINS  MAKES  TOO  SURE. 

"  COME  on,  Sarey  Ann.  I  will  make  atonement  for  the 
past,"  said  Bigamini.  "  Let  me  lead  the  van." 

"  Is  it  far  ?  " 

"  Up  this  rocky  path.  I  go  first  and  you  can  follow.  Oh, 
Sarey  Ann,  ain't  you  hard-hearted  !  " 

He  began  to  whimper,  and  the  tears  fell  from  his  eyes, 
but  his  wife  paid  no  attention  to  him. 

She  knew  him  too  well  by  this  time  to  put  any  faith  in  his 
tears,  and  kept  het  eye  fixed  upon  him,  fearful  lest  he  should 
play  her  some  trick  and  get  away,  as  he  had  often  done  before. 

Little  Bigamin1"  was  as  slippery  as  an  eel,  and  as  difficult 
to  hold,  as  all  had  found  out  who  had  had  anything  to  do 
with  'him. 


JACK  HARKA  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.       181 

Bigamini  took  his  wife  some  distance  up  the  side  of  Vesu- 
vius,  where  there  was  no  danger  from  the  streams  of  molten 
lava. 

Having  gained  the  top  of  a  small  plateau,  fringed  with 
stunted  shrubs  and  trees,  he  paused. 

Below  the  edge  of  the  plateau  was  a  fall  of  over  thirty 
feet. 

Pretending  to  search  at  the  foot  of  a  tree,  he  uttered  a  cry 
of  alarm  and  despair. 

"  What  is  the  matter  ?  "  asked  his  wife. 

"  Oh,  Sarah  Ann,"  he  exclaimed,  "  some  brigand's  been 
and  dug  up  all  my  money  !  " 

"  Is  it  gone?  " 

"Every  ducat.     I  have  been  watched  and  robbed." 

"  I  wish  to  goodness,"  said  Mrs.  Smiffins,  "  that  you  hadn't 
brought  me  up  this  plaguey  hill  on  a  wild-goose  chase.  I've 
trodden  on  stones  and  such-iike  till  my  feet  ache." 

"  It's  as  bad  for  me,"  replied  Bigamini. 

"  What  does  that  matter  ?  I'm  going  to  give  you  up  to  th« 
police  as  a  brigand,  and  then  I  shall  go  home — but  not  till  I 
see  you  executed." 

"  Sarah  Ann,  do  you  want  to  get  rid  ot  me  ? "  asked  Biga- 
mini, gravely. 

"  Haven't  you  wanted  to  get  rid  of  me  this  ever  so  long  ?  " 
she  inquired. 

"  Ah,  I  see  how  it  is.  You  wish  to  marry  the  snob  who 
lived  next  door  to  us  in  the  Lower  Marsh,  Lambeth." 

"  He's  a  respectable  shoemaker,  and  I  don't  know  that  we 
shan't  make  a  match  of  it." 

"  Why  didn't  you  commit  bigamy,  as  I  did  ?  " 

"  Because  I'm  not  such  a  fool,  and  I  ain't  as  bad  as  you 
are.  If  it  hadn't  been  for  your  treatment  of  me,  I  shouldn't 
have  thought  of  the  shoemaker." 

"  Look  here,  Sarah  Ann,"  said  Bigamini,  "  I  know  I've 
behaved  cruel  to  you,  but  it  ain't  worth  while  to  take  the 
trouble  to  have  me  executed." 

"  Why  not  ? " 

"  Do  it  yourself  ? " 

"  How  ? "  asked  Mrs.  Smiffins,  rather  puzzled  to  under- 
stand his  meaning. 

"  I'll  stand  on  the  edge  of  this  plateau,"  said  Bigaminl 
J'My  hands  are  tied  and  I  can't  help  myself." 

"  Well  ? " 


182      JACK  HARKAWAV  AMONG  7 HE  BRIGANDS. 

"You  come  and  shove  behind,  over  I  go — break  my 
precious  neck.  You  go  home  and  marry  the  shoemaker  in 
the  Lower  Marsh  and  there's  an  end  of  it." 

"  It  isn't  a  bad  idea,  not  by  any  means,"  remarked  Mrs. 
Smiffins,  reflectively. 

"  Are  you  on  ? " 

"  Of  course,  I  ain't  got  no  love  for  you  now,  only  hatred 
find  despisal,"  said  Mrs.  Smiffins. 

"'  I  know  that.  Oh,  ain't  I  just  a  miserable  ?igamini  ?  — 
that's  all.  But  it  serves  me  jolly  well  right.''' 

"You  ought  to  have  gone  straight  with  me." 

"  Very  true.     It's  too  late  now,  ain't  it?  " 

Mrs.  Smiffins  shook  her  head  gravely,  to  intimate  that  it 
was,  and  that  she  would  have  nothing  more  to  do  with  him 
on  any  terms  whatever. 

"  Wipe  away  a  tear,  Sarah  Ann,"  said  Bigamini. 

"  Where  ? " 

"  In  my  right  heye.  1  can't  help  a-thinking  of  what  has 
been." 

Mrs.  Smiffins  said — 

"  Stuff !  You  couldn't  shed  a  tear  if  you  tried  to.  It's  all 
your  'umbug." 

"  Very  well ;  a  'ard  'art  will  have  its  punishment.  Shove 
away  a  good  un,"  replied  Bigamini,  walking  to  the  edge  of 
the  cliff. 

"  Are  you  ready  ?  "  asked  his  wife. 

"  Wait  a  minute.     I  want  to  say  a  prayer." 

"Look  sharp,     I'm  coming  when  I've  counted  twelve-" 

Bigamini  turned  his  head  round  and  watched  her  as  she 
said — 

"  One,  two,  three,  etc.,"  and  his  twinkling  little  grey  eyes 
watched  her  every  movement- 

"  Eleven ;  make  haste  !  "  she  exclaimed. 

"  I've  done,"  he  answered. 

"  I'm  a-coming.     Twelve  !     Stand  well  over.1* 

"  Right.     Lord  ha'  mussy,"  said  Bigamini. 

His  wife  ran  at  him  with  her  arms  outstretched,  fully  in- 
tending to  push  him  over  the  edge  of  the  rock. 

As  she  approached  her  pace  quickened. 

Just  as  she  was  prepared  to  touch  him,  he  stepped  nimbly 
on  one  side,  and  missing  her  aim,  she  was  unable  to  stop 
herself  and  tumbled  over  instead  of  her  husband. 

The  branch  of  a  tree,  which  nroiected  over  the  precipice, 


JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.       183 

caught  her  clothes,  and  she  hung  by  it,  dangling  in  the  air, 
kicking  her  legs  frantically,  and  screaming  as  if  she  thought 
she  could  save  her  life  by  making  as  much  noise  as  possible. 

Bigamini  grinned. 

He  looked  down  at  his  struggling,  screaming,  panting  bet- 
ter half,  and  his  eyes  twinkled  again  like  beaming  stars. 

"Save  me!  save  me  !  "  said  Mrs.  Smiffins. 

"  You  didn't  do  it  that  time,  my  dear,"  he  replied. 

"  Save  me  !  " 

"  I  can't ;  though  much  I  wish,  for  you  have  tied  my 
hands,"  said  Bigamini,  in  a  tuneful  voice. 

"  Wretch,  you  did  it  on  purpose." 

"Of  course  I  did,  my  dear.  I'm  quite  as  anxious  to  get 
rid  of  you  as  you  are  of  me,  and  I  couldn't  afford  to  let  you 
have  the  best  of  it.  How  do  you  feel,  my  love  ? " 

"  Brute,  help  me  up.     I'll  give  it  you  else." 

"  Can't,  my  dear.  Doesn't  that  branch  feel  insecure  ? 
You're  a  good  weight,  you  know." 

In  fact  the  tree  began  to  shiver  and  shake,  and  there 
seemed  every  prospect  of  the  worthy  Mrs.  Smiffins  going 
down  with  a  run. 

"  The  branch  will  break,"  she  exclaimed. 

"  That's  just  my  opinion,"  replied  Bigamini,  coolly. 

"  Monster,  will  you  see  me  perish  without  stretching  out 
a  hand  to  save  me  ?  " 

<;  How  can  I  help  it  ?     Didn't  you  tie  my  hands  ? " 

<{  Save  me  !  save  me  !  " 

"  I  can't,  tny  dear,  though  much  I  wish,  for  you  have  tied 
my  hands,"  sang  Bigamini. 

Though  terribly  frightened,  Mrs.  Smiffins's  spirit  was  not 
subdued. 

li  I  wish  I  had  you  under  my  feet,  you  contemptible  worm," 
she  said. 

"  I  don't,  my  dear." 

"  Shouldn't  I  like  to  maul  you?" 

"  You'll  never  have  the  chance  again,  my  love.  I  shall 
marry  my  third  when  you're  gone." 

"  Oh,  you  v/retch  !  " 

"  Make  haste,  my  pet.  I  want  to  see  the  last  of  you. 
Drop  down  and  get  smashed,  will  you,  just  to  oblige  yours 
affectionately,  a  once  happy  Smiffins." 

"  I  wonder  fire  doesn't  come  out  of  the  mountains  and 
you  up,  you  aggravating  thing,"  said  his  wife. 


1 84      JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

"  Sarah  Ann,"  exclaimed  Bigamini,  "  death's  a  pleasant 
and  a  consoling  fact.  I  never  thought  as  I  could  look  upon 
death  with  a  hunmoved  heye,  but  I  do  to-day.  Don't  be 
much  longer  over  it,  my  sweet  one,  or " 

He  paused  and  extended  his  leg. 

"  What  ?  "  asked  Mrs.  Smiffins,  nervously. 

"  I  shall  have  to  kick  this  blooming  tree  and  shake  you  off, 
like  a  ripe  happle  in  a  gale  of  wind." 

"Oh,  don't,  don't  !  "  cried  the  poor  woman.  "  I'm  safe  as 
long  as  the  bough  doesn't  break." 

"  I  want  to  see  you  drop.  Won't  you  go  a  good  flop  ! 
Oh  !  Sarah  Ann,  I'm  sorry  for  you/' 

"  A  fat  lot  your  sorrow's  worth,"  she  answered. 

"Jumping  Moses!"  said  Bigamini,  "I  can't  stand  this 
much  longer.  Ain't  you  a-going  to  die  ?  " 

He  advanced  to  the  edge  of  the  plateau,  and  took  a  sur- 
vey of  the  situation. 

This  convinced  him  that  his  wife  couldn't  get  up. 

She  must  either  hang  there  or  fall  down  by  the  breaking 
of  the  branch  or  the  giving  way  of  her  clothes. 

"  Ta,  ta,  old  girl,"  he  added.     "  I  shall  leave  you  to  it." 

"  Don't  go  like  that/'  answered  Mrs.  Bigamini.  "  If  you'll 
set  me  free,  I'll  be  a  altered  woman." 

"  Not  you,  Sarah  Ann,"  replied  Bigamini,  with  an  incre- 
dulous shake  of  the  head. 

"  I  will  indeed.  Listen  here.  I'll  never  nag  you  no 
more." 

"  It  ain't  in  you  not  to  do  it,  Sarah  Ann." 

He  moved  away  a  little. 

"  Hear  me,"  she  cried,  eagerly.  "  I  swear  I'll  be  good  and 
obedient,  and  never  say  nothing.  No,  not  if  you're  ever  so 
aggravating." 

"  Suppose  I  marry  a  third?" 

"  I'll  let  you  be.  The  Turks  have  more  than  one  wife,  so 
have  the  Mormons.  Let  me  up,  there's  a  good  fellow,  and 
you  shall  keep  a  harem  if  you  like." 

"  It  ain't  good  enough,  Sarah  Ann." 

"  By  the  memory  of  the  past,  I  entreat  you.  Don't,  oh, 
don't  leave  me  here  like  this  !  " 

"  It  was  your  own  doing,  my  popsey  wopsey,  recollect  that,rr 
said  Bigamini. 

"No  matter;  forgive  me,  and  I'll  be  to  you  all  a  loving 
wife  should  be  to  her  husband." 


JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.       185 

"  You've  only  been  hanging  about  half-an-hour,  my  dear, 
and  it's  worked  a  wonderful  change  in  you." 

"  It  has,"  she  said. 

"  Now  I  shall  leave  you  till  to-morrow  morning.  Don't 
holloa  so.  Wait  till  you've  done  a  night's  hanging  on  that 
tree.  If  the  bough  don't  break,  it  will  make  you  a  regular 
stunner — a  perfect  one-er,  I  may  say,  so  adoo,  my  dear,  until 
we  meet  again." 

In  vain  Mrs.  Smiffins  protested  and  begged,  interspersing 
her  remarks  and  supplications  with  the  most  piercing  shrieks. 

Bigamini  turned  coolly  on  his  heel  and  began  to  make  his 
way  cautiously  down  the  side  of  the  mountain. 

His  hands  were  still  bound  behind  his  back,  and  it  would 
have  been  a  serious  matter  if  he  had  stepped  upon  a  loose 
stone  and  missed  his  footing,  for  he  would  have  rolled  over 
and  over  until  he  reached  the  bottom. 


CHAPTER  LXVIII. 

THE    SPY    BETRAYS    HIS   MASTER. 

IN  spite  of  his  care  and  watchfulness,  Bigamini  slipped 
over  a  piece  of  lava  and  fell  heavily  forward. 

Instinctively  he  tried  to  stretch  out  his  hands  to  save  his 
face,  and  so  great  was  the  effort  he  made,  that  the  cord  with 
which  his  wife  had  bound  him  snapped  asunder. 

He  was  free. 

A  few  scratches  and  bruises  were  all  he  received  from  his 
fall,  and  he  considered  them  cheaply  purchased  at  the  price 
of  his  liberty  and  freedom  of  action  again. 

Reaching  the  main  road  once  more,  he  walked  slowly 
along  until  he  came  to  a  small  cottage,  in  which  lived  an  old 
peasant  woman,  who  got  her  living  by  selling  wines  and 
spirits. 

On  the  shutter  was  posted  a  police  notice. 

This  Bigamini  stopped  to  read,  and  saw  that  the  affiche 
was  to  this  effect. 

"  Five  thousand  ducats  reward,  ircgether  with  a  free  par- 
don to  anyone  who  will  give  information  leading  to  the  cap- 
ture of  the  well-known  brigand  chief 


l86      JACK  HARKAU AY  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

BARBONI. 

Information  to  be  given  to  the  chief  officer  of  police  at 
Naples.     By  order. 

(Signed)  "  CIALDINI." 

Bigamini  pondered  over  this  for  a  short  time,  and  his  vil- 
lanous  little  eyes  twinkled  as  if  some  wicked  idea  had  come 
into  his  fertile  brain. 

Knocking  at  the  door,  he  exclaimed — 

"Open,  mother,  and  don't  keep  a  customer  out  in  the 
heat,  till  he's  as  baked  as  a  parched  pea." 

The  old  woman,  who  had  dozed  off  while  doing  a  little 
knitting  to  eke  out  her  slender  income,  gave  him  admittance. 

"A  bottle  of  wine  for  a  gentleman,"    continued  Bigamini. 

She  placed  before  him  the  wine  of  the  country,  which  he 
paid  for  and  proceeded  to  drink  leisurely. 

"  Are  you  from  the  city,  master  ? "  asked  the  old  crone. 

"  Yes,"  replied  Bigamini. 

"  What  is  the  news,  may  I  ask  ?  " 

"  No  news  that  I  know  of." 

"  Have  they  caught  Barboni  yet  ?  " 

"  Not  yet,  though  I  think  they  will  soon,"  said  Bigamini, 
with  a  start. 

"  I  hope  not.  Jesu  Maria !  the  poor  will  miss  him ;  he 
was  ever  good  to  the  poor." 

"Rubbish.  It  was  his  lieutenant,  Signer  Bigamini,  you 
mean,"  said  the  spy. 

"  I  have  not  heard  of  him,"  answered  the  crone.  "  But 
I  mind  me  well  a  year  back,  that  Barboni  halted  here  with 
his  men,  and  gave  me  two  gold  pieces,  telling  me  to  keep 
the  change.  I'm  sorry  to  hear  of  his  misfortunes." 

"  What  do  they  say,  mother  ?  " 

"I  had  a  police  officer  here  this  morning  to  eat  his  saus- 
age and  take  his  glass.  He  told  me  that  Barboni's  band  was 
broken  up,  and  all  were  killed  but  the  brigand  chief,  his 
lieutenant,  and  a  spy." 

"  That's  me,"  muttered  Bigamini. 

The  old  woman's  quick  ears  caught  the  remark,  and  she 
tried  to  hastily  close  the  door  of  a  cupboard. 

"  What  have  you  got  in  there,  granny  ?  "  asked  Bigamini. 

"Nothing,  signer ;  'tis  the  draught  troubles  me,"  replied 
the  crone,  with  evident  uneasiness. 

"  I  should  think  you  have  done  well  in  this  place,  aunty/ 


JACK  HARK  AW  AY  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.     187 

"No,  indeeJ,  signer.     My  custom  is  small. 

"But  you've  been  here  some  time;  you  save  and  don't  spend 
much.  If  people  save  and  don't  spend,  they  grow  rich.  How 
much  money  have  you  got  in  that  old  cracked  china  teapot 
I  saw." 

"None  at  all,  good  signor.     I  am  very  poor,  so  poor  that  I 
don't  taste  meat  from  year's  end  to  year's  end." 
"You're  a  miser.     I've  heard  of  you  before,"  said  Bigamini 
getting  up  and  advancing  to  the  cupboard. 

The  crone  placed  herself  resolutely  in  his  way. 
"Stand  back,"  she  said.     "I  can  see  what  you  are  now." 
"What  am  I?"  he  asked,  impudently. 

"One  of  Barboni's  band,  the  spy,  I  think;  you  look  too  mean 
to  be  a  lieutenant.  Stand  back,  I  say;  you  shall  not  rob  me. 
I  have  a  dagger,  and  will  defend  my  money  with  my  life." 

Bigamini  laughed  scornfully. 

"Ho,  ho!"  he  cried,  "so  you  have  money,  mother,  have  you? 
That  is  all  right;  the  cat  slipped  out  of  the  bag,  didn't  it?" 

Her  withered  arm  was  outstretched,  and  it  trembled  vio- 
lently as  she  held  up  the  rusty  dagger,  with  which  she  hoped 
to  prevent  herself  from  being  robbed. 

"Get  out  of  the  way.     I  want  your  mopusses,"  said  Bigamini, 
giving  her  a  rude  push. 
He  spoke  in  English. 

"Ha,"  replied  the  woman, "you  are  no  true  brigand.  An 
Italian  would  not  harm  a  poor  creature  like  me.  You  are  a 
foreign  hireling,  some  accursed  heretic.  Back,  spawn  of  Satan, 
I  spit  on  thee." 

"The  old  gal's  in  her  tantrums.  I  shall  have  to  settle  her,  ' 
said  Bigamini. 

He  drew  his  knife,  and  keeping  out  of  the  reach  of  her  anti- 
quated dagger,  which,  wielded  by  such  a  feeble,  palsied  hand, 
could  not  have  done  him  much  harm,  cast  the  weapon  at  her. 
This  was  a  favourite  trick  of  his,  and  he  was  an  adept  at  it. 
Often  in  his  idle  moments  he  had   practised   pitching  the 
knife  at  a  plank  of  wood. 

The  skill  consisted  in  so  throwing  it  that  you  could  hit  a 
certain  marked  spot,  and  make  the  knife  stick  upright  in  it. 

Before  casting  it,  he  had  calculated  to  a  nicety  the  posi- 
tion of  the  old  woman's  heart. 


1 88     JACK  HARK  A  WA  V  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

Sh-sh-sh  flew  the  knife  through  the  air,  striking  the  aged 
victim  with  a  dull  thud. 

"  I'll  be  a  mark  on  you,  my  lady,"  he  said,  between  his 
clenched  teeth. 

The  dagger  fell  from  her  hand,  she  pressed  the  other  to 
her  side,  and  with  a  groan,  fell  heavily  on  the  floor,  which 
was  soon  ensanguined  with  her  slowly  flowing  blood. 

"  Dead  as  mutton,"  said  Bigamini,  stooping  down,  and 
repossessing  himself  of  his  knife.  "  It's  a  case  of  Cooper's 
ducks  with  her." 

Spurning  the  body  with  his  foot,  he  approached  the  cup 
board,  which  he  carefully  ransacked. 

As  he  expected,  the  old  teapot  was  the  receptacle  of  gold 
and  notes  to  the  amount  of  nearly  two  hundred  and  fifty 
pounds  in  our  money. 

Unfastening  his  treasure  belt,  he  added  this  sum  to  his 
already  large  store,  and  chuckled  grimly  as  he  did  so. 

Then  he  refreshed  himself  with  some  more  wine,  and 
quitting  the  cottage,  walked  on  slowly  to  Naples,  with  as 
much  unconcern  as  if  nothing  had  happened. 

When  he  reached  the  city  it  was  evening. 

He  went  at  once  and  fearlessly  to  Harkaway's  house  ;  the 
door,  as  was  usual  in  that  hot  place,  was  open,  and  he  made 
his  way  to  Monday's  room. 

The  black  was  wiping  some  glasses,  and  looked  up  in  sur- 
prise at  seeing  the  spy. 

"  Um  Bigamini,"  he  cried. 

"  At  your  service,  sir.  I  hope  I  see  you  well,  Mr.  Mon- 
day," replied  Bigamini. 

"  What  urn  come  here  for  ?     Got  um  child  ?  " 

"  Unfortunately  I  have  not,  but  I  have  little  doubt  I  shall 
be  able  to  put  you  on  the  track  of  the  missing  kid." 

"  You  know  um  life  not  safe,"  said  Monday.  "  We  know 
all  'bout  you  now,  and  me  not  let  you  go.  You  um  spy  of 
Barbom,  and  you  got  to  be  hang." 

"  I  don't  know  so  much  about  that,"  replied  Bigamini. 
"  Give  me  some  wine,  and  I'll  talk  to  you." 

"  Well,"  said  Monday,  "  um  got  a  good  cheek." 

"  So  they  say." 

Monday  gave  him  a  tumbler  of  wine,  which  he  drank 
with  great  gusto. 

"  How's  Mr.  Harkaway,  and  all  the  rest  of  them  ?  "  he 
asked. 


JACK  HARKAWAY  AMOA~G  THE  BRIGANDS.       189 

"  Mast'  Jack  very  bad,  and  so  Missy  Emily  too.  They 
fret  for  um  child.  Mist'  Mole  at  home.  Mist'  Clear-the- 
Track,  Mist'  Coxswain,  and  Mist'  Harvey  ali  gone  after  um 
brigand  to  rescue  Lord  St.  Clair." 

"  He's  past  praying  for,"  said  Bigaraini. 

"  What,  another  of  um  gone  ?  " 

"  Yes  ;  his  lordship's  gone  to  glory,  in  kingdom  come." 

"  Where  um  Barboni  ? " 

"  That's  telling,"  replied  Bigamini,  putting  his  finger 
knowingly  on  one  side  of  his  nose,  "  and  1  can't  afford  to 
let  on  for  nothing." 

"  You  silly  fellow  come  here,"  said  Monday. 

"Why?"' 

"  Have  to  put  you  in  prison,  then  you  go  hang,  sare — 
that  why." 

"  My  faithful  black,"  said  Bigamini,  "  you're  a  child. 
Where's  your  sense  ?  " 

"Um  got  sense  enough." 

"  No,  you  haven't.     I  wouldn't  find  you." 

"  What  ? " 

"  I  wouldn't  have  you  at  a  gift,  and  you'd  be  dear  at 
nothing." 

"  Stop  um  chaff,"  said  Monday.  "  Urn  laugh  t'other  side 
of  um  face  soon." 

"No,  I  shan't.  Do  you  think  I'm  such  an  infant  as  to 
come  here  if  I  didn't  know  it  was  all  right?" 

"  Can't  see  it  umself." 

"  Can  I  see  your  master?  " 

"  Mast'  Jack  upstairs;  he  mopes  in  um  arm-chair.  And 
Missy  Emily  keep  her  bed,  with  Missy  Hilda  and  Missy 
Lily  t )  nurse  her." 

"  Take  me  upstairs.  Your  society  is  very  agreeable,  but, 
my  faithful  and  unintelligent  blackskin,  it  is  possible  to 
have  too  much  of  a  good  thing  " 

Monday  looked  angrily  at  him. 

"  Come  along,"  he  replied.  "  Um  grin  through  um  prison 
bars  soon." 

He  led  the  way  upstairs,  keeping  his  eye  carefully  fixed 
on  the  spy  all  the  while. 

At  the  door  of  the  drawing-room  he  paused  and  knocked, 

"  Come  in,"  said  Jack. 

He  started  up  when  he  saw  Bigamini. 

"  You  here  ? "  he  exclaimed.     "  How  did  this  happen  ?  " 


igo      JACK  HARK  AW  AY  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

"Good-day,  Mr.  Harkaway — hope  I  see  you,  sir,"  an- 
swered Bigamini. 

"  Do  you  know  your  life  is  forfeited  ?  "  said  Jack. 

•'  Yes,  sir." 

"  You  are  in  the  proscribed  list,  and  you  can  hope  for  no 
mercy  from  me,  unless  you  have  come  to  restore  my  child, 
and  then,  perhaps,  1  could  use  my  influence  to  get  your 
sentence  commuted  from  death  to  penal  servitude  for  life." 

"Thank  you,"  replied  Bigamini,  drily,  "  I  don't  want  your 
help  at  present,  Mr.  Harkaway." 

'•'  What  do  you  mean  ? " 

"  Did  you  ever  read  in  the  Bible  of  a  certain  party  called 
Judas,  sir?" 

"  Judas  ?  Yes.  He  betrayed  his  master  for  thirty  pieces 
of  silver." 

"  That's  what  I'm  going  to  do,  though  I  mean  to  have 
much  more  than  thirty  pieces." 

"Judas  afterwards  killed  himself." 

"That's  what  I'm  not  going  to  do,"  replied  Bigamini, 
with  a  chuckle.  "  You  have  seen  the  bills  of  reward,  sir, 
for  the  capture  of  Barboni  ? " 

"  Yes.  Oh,  I  see  what  you  mean  now,"  said  Jack.  "  You 
mean  to  betray  Barboni's  hiding-place,  claiming  the  reward 
and  the  free  pardon  ?  " 

"  Exactly." 

"  Well,  I  can't  say  I  admire  you  for  your  treachery, 
thought  I  am  glad  that  we  shall  have  the  scoundrel  in  our 
power.  Where  is  he  ? " 

"  That  I  only  tell  to  the  chief  of  the  police,  begging  your 
pardon,  Mr.  Harkaway." 

'  Is  Hunston  with  him  ?  " 

'  Yes,  though  he  can't  see  him." 

'  How  is  that  ?  "  asked  Jack,  in  surprise. 

'  Barboni  is  blind,  sir." 

'Blind?" 

'Yes  ;  as  blind  as  a  bat  and  this  is  how  it  happened.  He 
sentenced  Lord  St.  Clair  to  death,  and  he  was  thrown  into 
the  boiling  lava ;  but  before  he  died,  he  threw  the  lava  at 
Barboni,  and  it  went  into  his  eyes,  blinding  him." 

"  Horrible  !  Poor  St.  Clair  !  Still  he  avenged  Garden,' 
said  Jack. 

"  I  can't  tell  you  much  about  your  o:ild,  sir,"  continued 
Bigamini. 


JACK  HAK^AWAY  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.       101 

"  Is  he  not  dead  ?  "  asked  Jack,  in  surprise.     "  We  have 
mourned  him  as  one  lost  to  us  for  ever." 

"  Will  you  stand  my  friend,  sir,  if  I  tell  you  all  I  know  ? " 

"Of  course  I  gladly  will." 

"  You  remember  the  wolf  in  the  sybil's  cave,  sir  ?  " 

"  Yes." 

"  When  the  witch  was  mur — ahem  !  that  is,  when  she  died, 
the  wolf  followed  us  to  our  camp,  and  the  morning  of  the 
attack  the  beast  ran  away  with  the  child  in  his  mouth,  and 
the  ears  and  hands  we  sent  you  were  cut  off  another  child, 
so  that  we  didn't  hurt  yours." 

"Hurrah!  "cried  Jack;  "he  lives — he  lives!  Thank 
God  for  this  ! " 

Springing  from  his  chair,  he  rushed  up  st^rs  to  communi 
cate  the  good  news  to  Emily. 


CHAPTER  LXIX. 

THE     GOOD     NEV  S. 

EMILY  was  lying  in  bed,  very  pale,  and  ill ;  Hilda  was  sit^ 
ting  by  her  side,  reading  to  her,  wJiile  Lily  was  fanning  her 
wan  face. 

Suddenly  Jack  sprang  into  the  room. 

"  Emmy,  dear,  I've  got  good  news  for  you,"  he  said 
"  Are  you  strong  enough  to  bear  it  ?  " 

She  turned  her  lustrous  eyes  anxiously  upon  him. 

"  Is  it  about  our — our  child  ? "  she  asked. 

"  Yes  ;  he  is  not  dead." 

"  Thank  Heaven  !  But  he  is  rnuf  ilated.  We  saw — at 
least,  you  saw  the  ears  and  the  hand  that  cruel  brigand  cut 
off."  ' 

"  That  was  a  trick  to  work  upon  our  feelings.  Another 
child  was  mutilated  and  ours  is  safe." 

"  How  do  you  know  this  ? "  demanded  Emily. 

Jack  related  what  Bigamini  had  told  him. 

"  Heaven  is  good  to  us.  But  can  we  believe  it  ? "  she 
said. 

"  I  think  so.  Bigamini  has  nothing  to  gain  by  inventing 
such  a  story,  and  he  has  come  for  the  express  purpose  of 
betraying  his  master." 


192      JACK  HARKA  WA  /  AMONG   THE  BRIGANDS. 

"  Will  not  the  savage  wolf  kill  him  ?" 

- 1  have  heard  or  animals  taking  a  fancy  to  children,  and 
this  wolf  was  not  a  wild  one,  you  must  remember.  We  must 
hope  for  the  best." 

Emily  sat  up  in  bed,  and  her  tears  fell  fast. 

They  were  tears  of  joy. 

"  I  shall  soon  get  better  now,  Jack,  dear,"  she  said.  "  Oh, 
\  am  so  delighted.  Do  go  and  look  at  once  to\  the  bov." 

"  I  will  send  Monday  to  the  mountains." 

"  Why  not  go  yourself  ? "  she  asked,  reproachfully. 

"  I  must  capture  Barboni  myself.  You  know  I  have 
sworn  to  do  so.  It  has  been  the  ambition  of  my  life,"  an- 
swered Jack. 

"Oh,  when  will  these  dangers  be  over  ?"  she  said,  with  a 
sigh. 

"  Soon,  I  hope,  darling.  Kiss  me,  and  rouse  yourself," 
answered  Jack. 

Emily  embraced  him  tenderly. 

"You  have  made  me  so  happy."  she  said;  "happier  than 
I  ever  thought  I  should  be  &gain  in  this  world.  I  will  pray 
that  the  end  of  all  our  troubles  may  be  drawing  near." 

HiMa  came  up  to  Jack. 

"  This  is  great  news,"  she  exclaimed. 

"  Is  it  not  ? "  replied  Jack. 

"  You  are  going  after  Barboni  ?  " 

"  Yes." 

"  Capture  him  at  all  hazards.  You  have  fortune  with  yot 
now.  Bring  him  to  Naples." 

"  I  will — dead  or  alive." 

"  That  is  right.  This  man  must  die  before  we  can  know 
any  peace." 

"  He  will  not  be  able  to  fight  much,  for  in  dying  Lord  St. 
Clair  blinded  him." 

"  Is  poor  St.  Clair  dead  ? "  said  Hilda.  "  Another  victim 
to  your  fatal  resolve  to  exterminate  these  brigands." 

"  It  can't  be  helped,  my  dear  Mrs.  Harvey,"  answered 
Jack.  "  When  I  put  my  foot  down  and  say  a  thing  must  be 
done,  I  mean  it,  and  done  it  generally  is,  somehow  or  other." 

"  Well,  go  on  your  errand.  You  have  my  best  wishes," 
replied  Hilda. 

He  went  away,  leaving  the  ladies  much  mote  cheerful 
than  they  had  been  before. 

They  were  all  anxious  to  get  back  to  England. 


JA  CK  HARKA  WA  Y  SJMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.       193 

It  was  the  wish  of  their  hearts  to  see  their  native  land 
again,  and  be  rid  of  the  constant  alarms  and  worries  amidst 
which  they  had  lived  for  some  time  past. 

Lady  Barrel  had  written  to  them. 

She  said  that  Luni  was  much  improved,  and,  thanks  to 
Hilda's  generosity,  which  placed  money  at  her  service,  she 
was  able  to  procure  a  tutor  for  him,  and  so  give  him  some 
education,  of  which  he  stood  much  in  need. 

The  lawyers  she  had  consulted  about  her  claims  were 
actively  investigating  them. 

They  declared  that  if  she  could  get  the  confession  of  the 
brigand  chief,  they  had  no  doubt  they  would  prove  her  title 
to  the  estates  and  the  peerage  in  a  very  short  time. 

An  uncle  of  Barrel's,  hearing  that  he  was  dead,  had  taken 
possession  of  the  property,  and  was  not  inclined  to  give  it 
up  without  a  struggle. 

In  a  lawsuit  Barboni's  confession  would  be  every  thing. 

Going  to  the  drawing-room  again,  Jack  found  Monday 
keeping  guard  over  Bigamini. 

"  Now,  my  little  man,"  exclaimed  Jack,  cheerily,  "  come 
with  me  to  the  police." 

"Ready,  sir,"  replied  Bigamini. 

Jack  laughed  and  put  on  his  hat. 

All  at  once  a  tall,  gaunt  figure  darkened  the  doorway. 

The  strange  figure  was  Mr.  Mole,  who  presented  a  curiout 
appearance. 

He  was  in  his  shirt  sleeves,  and  had  twined  a  wreath  CK 
vine  leaves  round  his  head,  which  made  him  look  like  ar 
antique  Baccihms. 

In  his  hand  he  carried  a  carpet  broom. 

Stretching  out  his  arm,  he  exclaimed — 

"Make  way  for  your  sovereign  lord  the  king." 

"  Is  he  mxd  ? "  whispered  Jack  to  Monday. 

The  black  grinned  till  he  showed  all  his  teeth. 

"  Um  been  going  on  anyhow  all  day,  sare,"  he  said.  "  bi* 
not  know  'xactly  what  to  make  of  um." 

"  Has  he  been  drinking  more  than  usual  ?  " 

"  Um  always  at  it,  sare." 

"  It  seems  to  me  like  a  case  of  '  delicious  trimmings,*  * 
muttered  Jack. 

*•  Him  off  um  chump,  sare,  that  for  sartin." 

"  He  must  be  put  under  some  restraint.  So  much  drink 
in  this  hot  country  would  turn  any  orje's  brain  ?  " 

'3 


194      JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

"  Halt !  "  exclaimed  Mole,  bringing  his  broom  down  with 
a  bang. 

"  Mr.  Mole,"  said  Jack. 

"  I  don't  know  the  gentleman,"  replied  Mole.  "  I  am 
Alexander  the  Great,  just  returned  from  the  conquest  of  the 
world,  and  I  could  weep  because  I  have  not  another  world 
to  conquer." 

He  put  his  hand  to  his  eye  and  wiped  away  a  tear  as  big 
as  a  pea. 

"  Why,"  he  added  with  savage  energy,  "  why,  Jack,  have  I 
not  another  world  to  conquer  ? " 

"  We'll  find  one  for  your  majesty,"  said  Jack. 

Bigamini  began  to  laugh. 

"Ha!  does  the  slave  dare  to  laugh  at  me?  Let  him  die 
the  death,"  cried  Mole. 

Raising  his  broom,  he  ran  furiously  at  the  little  tailor,  and 
catching  him  in  the  stomach,  rolled  him  over  on  the  carpet. 

"Thus  perish  all  the  victims  of  my  just  indignation,5' said 
Mr.  Mole,  grandly. 

"  Oh,  Lord,  oh !  he's  hit  me  in  the  wind  and  bust  my 
boiler,"  exclaimed  Bigamini,  getting  up  and  rubbing  his 
stomach. 

"  What !  is  the  wretch  still  alive  ?  By  the  sun,  moon  and 
stars,  by  the  octopus  in  the  Brighton  aquarium,  and  by  the 
living  jingo,  I'll  have  his  vital  spark,"  exclaimed  Mole. 

He  brandished  his  broom  and  began  to  beat  the  spy. 

"  Die,  dog,  die  !  "  he  roared. 

"  I  say,"  exclaimed  Bigamini,  protecting  his  head  with  his 
arms  as  well  as  he  could,  "  this  won't  do.  Mr.  Harkaway, 
stop  him.  He's  a  raving  maniac ;  stop  him,  sir." 

Jack  was  laughing  too  much  to  be  able  to  interfere. 

The  spy  at  last  got  out  of  the  reach  of  the  broom,  and 
made  a  side  dash  at  Mole. 

"  Take  the  change  out  of  that,  Alexander  the  Great,"  hs 
said,  as  he  struck  him  on  the  nose. 

Mr.  Mole  went  to  grass  heavily  and  groaned. 

"  Thus  fell  Wolsey  in  all  his  greatness,"  he  murmure.i  ; 
41  thus  fell  Caesar,  struck  down  by  the  dagger  of  the  assassin. 
Fallen,  fallen,  fallen  from  my  high  estate,  as  Dryden 
sings.  Adieu  to  all  my  greatness,  as  the  swan  of  Avon  says." 

"Bust  me  up !"  exclaimed  Bigamini.  "He's  a  caution. 
Is  he  often  like  this?  Because  you  ought  to  keep  hi** 
locked  up,  Mr.  Harkaway." 


JACK  HARKA  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.       195 

"  I  will  have  him  cared  for.  It  is  the  effect  of  drink, M 
replied  Jack.  "  Send  for  a  doctor." 

"  Doctors  are  humbugs.  Who  can  minister  to  a  mind 
diseased  ?  1  pause  for  a  reply.5' 

"Monday,"  whispered  Jack,  "you  must  put  Mr.  Mole  in 
a  room  by  himself.  Lock  him  in  with  some  bread  and 
water  till  1  come  back,  or  he  will  do  some  one  a  mischief." 

"  Yes,  sare.     S'pose  um  mad." 

"  It  is  what  they  call  D  T,,  or  delirium  tremens,  a  not  un- 
common result  of  excessive  drinking," 

<f  Why  not  mind  um  umself,  sare  ? '' 

''  I  want  you  to  go  to  the  mountains  at  once,  to  look  for 
my  child,  whom  you  have  heard  Bigammi  say  the  wolf  ran 
away  with.'1 

"  Um  off  like  a  shot,  sare,"  replied  Monday. 

"  I  think,"  said  Bigamini,  *'  that  the  wolf  will  be  most 
likely  to  go  back  to  the  sybil's  cave.'' 

"  Try  there  first,"  said  Monday. 

"  Find  my  boy,  Monday,  and  you  will  not  only  make  me 
more  than  ever  your  debtor,  but  you  will  save  my  poor  wife's 
life,  which  is  wrapped  up  in  that  of  the  child." 

"  No  fear,  sare  ,   Monday  do  his  best." 

Jack  and  Bigamini  walked  together  to  the  police  office, 
where  they  saw  the  chief,  who  at  once  made  preparations  to 
capture  the  brigand. 

Every  one  regarded  Bigammi  with  looks  of  aversion. 

Spies,  m  all  ages  and  every  country,  are  hated  by  right- 
minded  people. 

It  was  considered  that  he  was  a  base  scoundrel  to  betray 
his  master  in  the  hour  of  his  direst  need  and  extremity. 

Meanwhile  Monday  had  to  attend  to  Mr.  Mole,  who  had 
been  drinking  to  such  an  extent,  that  he  was  clearly  not 
reponsible  for  his  actions. 

His  head  had  become  affected. 

He  did  not  know  who  he  was,  or  where  he  was,  any  more 
than  a  baby. 

'•'  Come  on,  sare/*  said  Monday. 

"Lead  me  to  my  prison  house ,  I  will  follow  as  becomes 
a  conquered  monarch." 

Just  then  Hilda  came  into  the  drawing-room,  Emily's  con- 
dition being  so  much  improved  by  the  magic  of  good  news 
that  she  could  leave  her  with  LiJv. 

Mr.  Mole  instantly  fell  on  his  knees, 


196       JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

"  Radiant  queen,"  he  said,  in  a  soft  voice,  "  I  am  a  cap- 
tured monarch,  vanquished  in  war  by  the  treachery  of  my 
army.  Pity  me,  peerless  being." 

Hilda  looked  astonished. 

"  Mr.  Mole,  do  you  not  know  me  ? "  she  said. 

"  Know  you,  mistress  of  my  soul  and  enslaver  of  my 
heart  ?  Will  thy  devoted  lover  ever  forget  the  blissful  past  ? " 

"What  does  this  mean,  Monday? "  asked  Hilda. 

"  Mist'  Mole  go  mad,  mum  ;  he  crook  him  elbow  too 
much." 

"  Has  he  been  drinking  ? " 

"Like  um  fish,  mum  ;  for  three  days  um  eat  nothing,  and 
drink,  drink  all  day  and  night." 

"  What  a  pity  !     Does  Mr.  Harkaway  know  this  ? " 

"  Yes,  mum  ;  he  told  me  to  look  after  um." 

"  Do  so  at  once.  It  is  dreadful  to  see  a  man  like  this,'1 
said  Hilda. 

"  March,"  said  Monday ;  "  i  m  got  to  go." 

"  Farewell,  empress  of  my  soul,"  said  Mr.  Mole ,  "  the 
dark  days  of  my  captivity  will  be  lightened  by  the  reflection 
of  thy  dazzling  beauty.  Alexander  of  Macedon  is  thine." 

He  seized  her  hand,  kissed  it,  and  folding  his  arms  with 
dignity,  added,  "  Lead  on,  base  groom.  I  am  thy  captive." 

"  Poor  ole  Mole,  um  very  bad,"  muttered  Monday,  as  he 
led  him  to  a  room,  in  which  he  placed  him  with  a  supply  of 
bread  and  a  good  large  pitcher  of  water. 

When  he  had  secured  him,  and  placed  it  out  of  his  reach 
to  do  any  mischief,  he  spoke  to  his  wife  Ada,  and  told  her 
he  was  going  in  search  of  the  child. 

She  wished  him  success,  and  he  staited  once  more  for  the 
open  country,  in  which  he  had  already  rendered  so  much 
service  to  his  master. 

He  had  a  difficult  task  before  him. 

It  was  impossible  to  say  if  the  child  was  alive  or  dead 
The  wolf  might  have  killed  and  eaten  him,  while  on  the  othel 
hand  it  was  probable  that  he  had  taken  him  to  some  moun 
tain  cave  and  watched  over  him. 


TACK.HARKAWAV  AMONG  THE  BRIG  AND  t        197 
CHAPTER  LXX. 

BARBONI    HUMBLED    TO   THE    DUST. 

WHEN  Bigamini  left  Barboni  in  the  hut,  the  thoughts  of 
the  brigand  were  very  bitter. 

His  eyes  were  inflamed  and  burning  fearfully. 

But  the  mere  physical  pain  was  nothing  compared  to  that 
which  he  suffered  in  the  mind. 

He  had  lost  all. 

I!*Vi  Bother  was  dead,  his  wife  was  killed  by  his  sicl-?,  his 
band  fclo^  sed  and  himself  blinded,  while  his  enemies  had 
triumphed 

lie  curbed  Jack  Harkaway  in  his  heart,  for  it  was  the 
plucky  Englishman  who  had  brought  him  to  his  present 
state. 

Curses,  however,  are  not  of  much  use  to  any  who  use 
them. 

Bigamini  had  insulted  him. 

This  was  an  additional  pang  to  the  proud  brigand,  who 
could  not  bear  to  be  dependent  upon  a  miserable  spy  whose 
life  had  hung  upon  his  favour. 

"  It's  hard  to  bear,  very  hard,"  he  muttered. 

All  his  sins  were  coming  home  to  him  now,  and  the  iron 
entered  into  his  soul. 

The  sound  of  footsteps  fell  upon  his  ear. 

"  Hunston,  is  that  you  ?  "  he  asked. 

"Yes,"  was  the  reply.  "  I  can't  get  a  doctor  for  love  or 
money  until  to-morrow,  and  you'll  have  to  wait." 

"  Wait  ? "  repeated  the  brigand.  "  You  did  not  talk  to  me 
in  that  way  before." 

"  Why  shouldn't  I  ? "  answered  Hunston  ;  "you're  played 
out  now.  The  game's  up.  I  for  one  shall  hook  it." 

"  Will  you  leave  me  ? " 

*  Yes ;  I've  had  about  enough  of  this  life,  and  I've  got 
some  money  in  my  belt.  How  much  have  you  got  ?  " 

"  I  don't  know  exactly,"  replied  Barboni. 

"  Give  it  me,"  exclaimed  Hunston  ;  "  it  can't  be  of  much 
use  to  you  now.  Hand  it  over." 


198      JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

"  Now,  if  I  am  to  drag  on  a  miserable  existence  as  a  blind 
man,  I  shall  have  to  beg  if  I  have  no  money." 

"  Beg  away,"  replied  Hunston,  unfeelingly.  "  Fork  out 
the  tin." 

"  I  never  thought  I  should  come  to  this :  you  were  my 
trusted  lieutenant." 

"You  should  have  managed  things  better.  I'm  not  a 
fool.  Can't  I  see  when  it's  time  to  throw  up  the  sponge  ? 
Give  me  what  money  you  have  about  you,  and  I'll  step  it  at 
once." 

"  I  am  helpless,"  replied  Barboni,  with  a  deep  sigh. 
"  Take  it ;  undo  my  belt,  and  you  will  have  a  fortune." 

Hunston  advanced  to  the  fallen  brigand,  and  took  off  his 
belt,  which  he  opened,  and  looked  joyfully  over  its  contents. 

The  amount  of  notes,  gold,  and  jewels  surpassed  his  most 
sanguine  expectations. 

"  This  is  plummy,"  he  said.  "  Good-bye,  old  son  ;  I  wish 
you  luck." 

"  Do  you  leave  me  to  my  fate  ?  "  asked  Barboni. 

"  What's  the  use  of  stopping  ?  " 

"  Is  there  no  friendship  between  us  ?  " 

"  Not  a  ha'porth  ;  you  were  always  a  tyrant  when  you 
were  well  up,  and  I'm  not  sorry  to  get  away,  I  can  tell  you." 

Barboni  sighed  again. 

He  heard  the  chink  of  the  gold  and  the  rustle  of  the  notes 
as  Hunston  placed  his  belt,  in  addition  to  his  own,  round 
his  waist,  then  his  footsteps  died  away,  and  his  lieutenant 
was  gone. 

"Alone,  alone,"  moaned  the  wretched  man.  "  Blind,  pen- 
niless, insulted,  deserted,  what  a  sad  future  have  I  before 
me." 

He  was  right. 

Toro  would  have  been  his  friend  if  he  had  been  the  man 
he  once  was,  but  blind,  he  was  good  for  nothing  as  a  brigand. 

He  did  not  know  what  to  do,  and  paced  the  hut  up  and 
down,  cautiously  extending  his  hands  to  feel  his  way  as  he 
walked. 

After  a  time  he  heard  footsteps  again. 

This  sound  was  accompanied  by  the  click  of  rifles  and  the 
measured  tread  of  men. 

He  listened  attentively. 

"Toro  and  his  band,"  he  said  to  himself. 

What  would  he  not  have  given  to  be  able  to  see? 


JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.       199 

All  at  once  the  noise  ceased,  and  only  the  tread  of  one 
man  was  audible. 

"  Is  that  you,  Toro  ?  "  he  asked. 

"  No,  signor.  It  is  Bigamini,  your  prince  of  spies,  as  you 
used  once  to  call  me." 

"  Come  in,  good  Bigamini,"  answered  Barboni.  "  I  am 
lonely,  and  want  company.  I  forgive  you  for  insulting  me. 
Come,  and  let  us  be  friends." 

"  Has  Hunston  been  back  with  the  doctor  ? " 

"  He  came  without  him,  and,  having  robbed  me,  went 
away  for  ever." 

"  Oh  !  one  bird  flown,"  said  Bigamini.  "  Never  mind, 
one  good  catch  in  the  net  is  better  than  none  at  all.  You're 
a  big  fish." 

This  speech  roused  the  brigand's  suspicions. 

"  You  would  not  betray  me  ?  "  he  said,  in  a  tremulous 
voice.  "  Think  of  the  future  we  have  in  store  for  us  if  I 
get  back  my  sight." 

"Don't  talk  rubbish,"  replied  Bigamini ;  "you're  a  settled 
member." 

"  No,  no.  Santo  Dio  !  I  shall  be  greater  than  ever  soon. 
I  have  got  some  treasure  buried.  Hunston  did  not  take  all. 
You  shall  be  my  trusted  favourite.  I  will  make  you  rich  and 
great.  Think  of  that.  Only  be  faithful  to  me  now." 

"  Hold  your  row,"  was  Bigamini's  answer. 

Going  to  the  door,  he  put  his  fingers  in  his  mouth,  and 
gave  a  shrill  whistle, 

The  next  moment  Jack  Harkaway  entered  the  hut,  which 
was  entirely  surrounded  by  soldiers  in  a  double  row. 

A  police  officer  followed  Jack,  holding  a  pair  of  handcuffs. 

"  Is  that  the  man,  signor  ?  "  asked  the  officer. 

"Yes.  I  will  swear  to  him,"  answered  Jack.  "It  is 
Barboni." 

At  these  words  the  brigand  chief  trembled  more  violently 
than  before. 

"  In  the  king's  name,  I  arrest  you  for  brigandage,  robbery, 
and  murder,"  continued  the  officer. 

"  I  submit,''  said  Barboni,  who,  by  a  desperate  effort,  tried 
to  be  calm. 

He  had  recognised  Jack's  voice,  and  did  not  wish  to  ex- 
hibit any  weakness  in  his  presence. 

The  click  of  the  manacles  was  next  heard,  as  they  were 
fastened  on  his  wrists. 


2  00      JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

"  Did  Bigamini  betray  me  ?  "  asked  Barboni. 

"  Yes  ;  I  don't  mind  telling  you  that,  if  it's  any  comfort  to 
you." 

"  My  dying  curse  upon  the  hound  !  my  bitter  curse  upon 
him ! "  said  the  brigand,  in  a  tone  of  deep  feeling. 

Barboni  was  placed  in  a  cart,  round  which  the  soldiers 
formed,  making  an  escort,  from  which  rescue  was  impossible. 

But  who  was  there  to  attempt  to  help  the  fallen  brigand  ? 

No  one. 

All  had  perished  or  deserted  hra,  and  as  he  was  driven 
slowly  to  Naples  to  be  placed  in  a  Urong  prison,  his  proud 
heart  was  bowed  down  and  humblea  to  the  dust. 

His  life  was  drawing  to  a  close,  and  the  scaffold,  with  its 
hideous  accessories,  loomed  up  terribly  before  him. 

Jack  Harkaway  had,  through  Bigammi's  treachery,  tru 
umphed  over  him  at  last, 

The  Englishmen  had  kept  their  solemn  oath,  though  it 
cost  them  dear. 


CHAPTER  LXXI. 

THE  TRAITOR'S  REWARD 

WHEN  the  traitor  had  accomplished  his  vile  purpose,  and 
seen  Barboni  led  away  captive  by  the  soldiers,  he  strutted 
about  as  proud  as  a  bantam  cock. 

His  reward  was  a  large  one 

Besides  this,  he  received  a  free  pardon  ,  the  police  would 
not  touch  him,  and  he  could  walk  about  Naples  with  as  little 
fear  of  arrest  as  the  most  respectable  citizen  of  the  city. 

All  he  had  to  do  now  was  to  go  and  claim  the  reward. 

Then  he  could  set  sail  in  one  of  the  Marseilles  steamers, 
reach  France,  travel  first-class  like  a  gentleman  to  Pans, 
and  enjoy  himselt  in  that  gay  capital  with  his  ill-gotten 
gains. 

He  looked  round  the  hut,  and  thought  that  a  drink  of 
wine  wouldn't  do  him  any  harm 

An  old-fashioned  amphora,  ot  jar  of  clay,  stood  in  the 
corner,  and  he  poured  some  sparkling  wine  into  a  horn. 

It  used  to  be  Barbom's  favourite,  and  the  brigand  chief 
was  not  a  bad  judge  ol  anything  that  related  to  eating  and 
drinking 


JACK  HARKA  WA  Y  AMONG    THE  BRIGANDS.       201 

"  Old  Barboni  won't  have  much  more  of  this  sort  of  tip- 
ple," said  the  spy,  with  a  sardonic  grin.  "  He's  played  out, 
and  it's  my  turn  now.  Won't  I  be  a  swell  in  Paris  ?  My 
eye !  Suppose  I  call  myself  a  prince." 

His  eyes  twinkled  at  the  idea. 

"  Prince  Bigamini,  there's  a  rattling  title  ;  got  estates  in 
Italy  ;  plenty  of  cash  to  spend.  I  shall  be  the  rage." 

A  slight  noise  in  the  rear  roused  his  attention  from  the 
vainglorious  contemplation  in  which  he  was  plunged. 

"  Oh  !     crumbs,"  he  cried,  "  what's  up  ?  " 

He  took  a  hasty  glance  at  the  door,  and  saw  severa.  dark 
figures  approaching. 

"  Strike  me  comical !  "  he  said,  "  it's  Toro.  Oh  !  here's  a 
go.  I've  put  my  foot  in  it  now." 

He  instantly  fell  down  in  a  corner,  and  pretended  to  be 
insensible,  while  almost  immediately  afterwards  the  brigands 
entered. 

"  Where  is  Barboni  ? "  asked  Toro.  "  Santissima  Virgine  !  " 
he  added,  crossing  himself,  "  something  has  happened." 

"  Here  is  his  man,"  answered  a  brigand  pointing  to 
Bigamini. 

"Wake  him  up." 

Bigamini  was  pushed  rather  roughly,  and  showed  no  signs 
of  life. 

A  kick  or  two  caused  him  to  raise  himself  on  his  elbow, 
and  look  wildly  about  him. 

"  Where  am  I  ?  "  he  asked,  with  an  air  of  forgetfulness 
and  confusion. 

"  In  the  hut,"  replied  Toro. 

"  Where  ? " 

"  Are  you  hurt  ?  " 

"  I  don't  know  what  you  call  hurt,"  replied  Bigamini,  re- 
covering from  his  pretended  insensibility,  "  but  a  soldier 
gave  me  an  ugly  blow  during  the  fight,  arid  I  crawled  in 
here." 

"  What  fight  ?  " 

"  The  soldiers  surprised  Barboni.  They  were  led  on  by 
the  Englishman,  Jack  Harkaway,  and  I  fought  like  a  lion. 
He  was  no  good,  because  he  was  blind,  and  what  could  I  do 
against  a  host  of  them  ? " 

"  Is  Barboni  captured  ? "  asked  Toro,  arching  his  Dull-iiki 
neck,  as  his  nostrils  dilated. 

"  I  suppose  so,  if  he  isn't  here' 


202      JACK  HARKAWAY  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

"  Diavolo  !  " 

"Believe  me,  Signer  Toro,  I  fought  like  a  devil,  and  how 
I  was  not  captured  I  don't  know." 

Toro  was  greatly  excited. 

"  How  long  ago  was  this  ?  "  he  asked. 

"  I  cannot  tell,  exactly,  but  not  long,  I  expect,"  replied 
Bigamini. 

"  The  moon  is  up.  It  is  some  distance  to  Naples  ;  they 
will  travel  slowly,  and  perhaps  bivouac  by  the  way,"  said 
Toro,  hurriedly.  "  What  do  you  say,  my  lads,  shall  we  make 
a  dash  for  Barboni  ? " 

"  Si,  si  I  "  cried  the  brigands,  in  chorus. 

"  He  was  always  a  valiant  gentleman  and  a  good  robber," 
cried  Toro. 

"  He  was,  he  was  !  " 

"  Shoulder  your  muskets,  then.  We  will  show  those  ras- 
cally Bersaglieri  what  Toro  and  his  men  can  do.  Fall  in, 
Bigamini." 

"  You  must  excuse  me,  Signer  Toro,"  answered  Bigamini ; 
"  I'm  that  bad,  I  don't  think  I  could  walk  a  mile  to  save  my 
life." 

"  Where  is  your  wound  ?  " 

"  On  my — my  head,  Signer  Toro.5' 

"  Come  here  ;  let's  look  at  it." 

The  spy  trembled. 

He  affected  to  sink  back  in  a  faint,  and  groaned  terribly. 

"  The  poor  devil  is  no  good  to  us,"  said  Toro,  compassion- 
ately. "  He  appears  to  have  fought  well  for  his  master ;  let 
him  be  where  he  is  ;  we  will  see  to  him  on  our  return.  For- 
ward, my  men,  to  rescue  Barboni." 

The  brigands  stepped  forward  with  alacrity,  and,  to  the 
great  delight  of  the  spy,  left  him  to  himself,  without  seeking 
any  further  for  the  imaginary  wound,  which  they  would  not 
have  found  if  they  had  hunted  for  a  month. 

When  they  were  gone  Bigamini  got  up. 

"  That  was  a  close  shave,"  he  said.  "  I'll  clear  out  ot 
this." 

Accordingly  he  quitted  the  hut,  and  was  proceeding  to 
Naples  when  he  thought  of  his  wife. 

"  There  are  so  many  slips  between  cup  and  lip  in  this 
wretched  life,"  he  murmured,  "  that  I'll  go  and  make  sure 
she  has  broken  her  precious  neck." 

He  struck  across  the  mountain's  side,  and  sought  the  spot 


JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.       203 

where  he  had  left  the  unfortunate  Mrs.  Smiffins  hanging  to 
a  branch  of  a  tree  which  stood  on  the  brow  of  the  chasm. 

The  tree  was  there,  but  no  Mrs.  Smiffins. 

All  that  remained  of  her  was  a  tattered  remnant  of  her 
dress. 

"  She's  gone  to  glory,"  said  Bigamini,  with  a  grin.  "  Now 
I'm  all  right." 

He  concluded  that  she  had  fallen  down  and  was  killed,  so 
without  waiting  to  make  any  further  investigation,  he  walked 
as  quickly  as  he  could  to  Naples. 

But  he  took  the  most  unfrequented  road,  to  avoid  meeting 
Toro  and  his  men. 

When  he  reached  the  police  station  it  was  growing  late. 

It  was  one  of  his  maxims  that  one  ought  to  strike  the  iron 
while  it  was  hot. 

If  he  went  to  sleep  over  the  matter,  something  might 
happen  during  the  night  which  would  cheat  him  out  of  his 
reward. 

He  hungered  after  the  gold  he  had  earned  by  basely 
betraying  his  master. 

The  chief  of  the  police  had  left  word  that  the  five  thousand 
ducats  were  to  be  given  him  on  demand,  directly  news  of  the 
capture  of  Barboni  was  brought  to  them. 

Jack  Harkaway  had  rendered  him  that  friendly  service  by 
galloping  on  in  front  of  the  soldiers. 

It  was  known  all  over  Naples  that  Barboni  was  captured. 

Walking  into  the  office,  he  said — 

"  I  am  Bigamini,  and  I  want  the  reward,  if  you  please." 

"  Ah,  yes ;  you  are  the  spy,"  replied  the  officer  in  com- 
mand, with  a  plainly  perceptible  sneer.  "  I  recognise  you." 

"  If  you  look  at  me  in  that  way,  you  will  be  sure  to  know 
me  when  you  meet  me  again,"  answered  Bigamini,  im- 
pudently. 

"  Don't  be  impertinent,"  said  the  officer,  with  a  severe 
look. 

"  No,  signor, "  said  Bigamini,  trembling  for  his  money. 

"  How  will  you  have  it  ?' 

"  Gold,  all  gold,  in  bags,"  replied  Bigamini,  eagerly. 

The  officer  handed  him  five  bags,  each  containing  the 
value  of  a  thousand  ducats. 

"  Take  it  and  begone,"  he  said. 

Bigamini  had  no  wish  to  stay  the  atmosphere  of  a  police 
station  never  agreed  with  him. 


204      JACK  HARKA  WAY  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS, 

It  made  him  ill,  so  he  stuffed  the  bags  into  his  pockets, 
and  stepped  out  of  the  place  gaily. 

But  retribution  was  in  store  for  him. 

Scarcely  had  he  reached  the  door  when  a  bulky  form 
stopped  his  egress,  and  brandished  a  huge  umbrella  over  his 
head. 

"You  little  villain,  I've  got  you  again,  have  I  ?  "  exclaimed 
the  figure,  savagely.  "  They  told  me  you  had  gained  the 
reward,  and  I  knew  I  should  find  you  sooner  or  later  com- 
ing after  the  money,  so  I  determined  to  wait  for  you  if  I  stood 
in  the  street  all  night." 

"  Sarah  Ann  !  "  gasped  the  astonished  tailor. 

"Yes,  sir;  your  lawful  wife." 

"  Oh,  scissors  !  "  exclaimed  Bigamini. 

"  You  thought  me  dead,  but  I  didn't  hang  there  long ; 
some  kind  people  who  had  come  to  see  the  burning  mount- 
ain came  by,  and  hearing  my  screams,  helped  me  up.  Oh, 
you  beast !  you  wretch !  " 

She  beat  him  with  her  umbrella,  and  seizing  his  hair, 
pulled  it  violently. 

"  I  say,  Sarah  Ann,  turn  it  up.  It  hurts.  You're  pulling 
out  handfuls,"  said  Bigamini,  frightened  out  of  his  life  and 
suffering  agony. 

"  Serve  you  right  too,  you  deceitfullest  of  all  deceitful, 
slimy,  crawling  vipers  ! "  replied  his  wife. 

"  I  ain't  slimy." 

"  Yes,  you  are.  Oh !  drat  you,  I'll  serve  you  out.  I'll 
warm  you.  You'll  get  it  hot  this  time,  make  no  error,"  said 
Mrs.  Smiffins,  with  a  handful  of  hair  in  each  hand. 

"  Let  go,  will  you,"  cried  Bigamini,  angrily. 

"  I  shan't,"  was  the  reply. 

The  little  man  struggled  into  the  street  amid  the  laughter 
of  the  police  officers,  who  thoroughly  enjoyed  the  scene. 

His  wife  continued  to  attack  him  in  the  same  desperate 
manner,  and  he  defended  himself  as  best  he  could. 

His  object  seemed  to  be  to  get  her  away  from  the  officers 
into  some  quiet  corner. 

This  he  at  length  accomplished. 

They  turned  a  corner,  and  with  a  savage  blow,  he 
said — 

"  Don't  maul  me  about  so,  or  you'll  be  sorry  for  it." 

"  Shall  I  ? "  she  said,  beating  him  with  the  umbrella. 

"  You  fool,"  he  cried,   "  why  don't  you  be  quiet  ?  " 


JACK  HARKAWAY  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.       205 

"Because  I'm  vour  wife  and  you  can't  alter  it.  You've 
committed  bigam  and  I  mean  to  transport  you." 

"  Let  go.  I  sh.'.,>.  t  ask  you  again,"  he  said,  clenching 
his  teeth. 

"  Never !  I'll  have  my  revenge,"  replied  Mrs.  Smiffins. 

"So  will  I,  once  and  for  ever,"  said  Bigamini. 

He  drew  his  knife,  raised  his  arm,  and  plunged  it  into  her 
body. 

She  fell  instantly,  and  he  ran  away,  leaving  her  bathed 
m  blood,  to  be  found  by  the  police  when  they  came  round. 

"  I  am  murdered.  Oh  !  that  I  should  have  come  to  this,' 
she  moaned. 

Bigamini  was  too  hardened  now  to  care  about  committing 
a  crime ;  his  only  anxiety  was  to  get  clear  off. 

This  he  succeeded  in  doing,  and  soon  reached  the  ex- 
tremity of  the  city,  making  for  the  country,  where  he  knew 
he  could  obtain  shelter.  Naples  was  closed  to  him  again 
after  this. 

He  would  be  accused  of  his  wife's  murder,  and  his  free 
pardon  for  brigandage  would  not  avail  him  in  the  least. 

His  treachery  to  Barboni  had  rendered  it  impossible  thai 
he  could  again  join  the  brigands,  and  it  was  difficult  for  him 
to  guess  how  he  could  get  away  to  France. 

He  took  the  old  road  which  led  to  the  Volturno,  intending 
to  sleep  that  night  in  the  witch's  cave. 

His  old  fright  in  the  cave  was  forgotten,  and  he  did  not 
care  if  he  saw  the  ghost  of  the  murdered  witch,  as  he  was 
so  tired  that  he  could  have  slept  in  a  graveyard. 


CHAPTER  LXXII. 

THE   RESCUE. 

VESUVIUS  was  still  grandly  throwing  up  masses  of  flame 
and  ashes,  as  Toro  and  his  men  hastened  along  after  the 
soldiers. 

They  came  up  with  them  about  half  way  between  Vesuvius 
and  Naples. 

The  men  had  been  halted  by  their  commanding  officer 
near  a  roadside  inn,  where  they  were  allowed  half-an-hour 
for  refreshment. 


206     JACK  HARKA  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

Barboni  was  sitting  on  a  bench  in  the  cart,  where  he  had 
been  placed  when  captured. 

Two  police  officers  and  two  soldiers  guarded  him,  the 
other  men  having  piled  arms  by  the  side  of  the  road  and 
scattered  themselves  about,  some  smoking  their  favourite 
cigarettes,  others  drinking  the  thin,  cheap  wine. 

Now  that  the  band  of  the  brigand  chief  was  known  to  be 
destroyed,  no  thought  of  a  rescue  had  entered  the  official 
mind. 

Toro  saw  that  his  opportunity  had  arrived,  as  his  keen 
eye  took  in  the  details  of  the  situation  we  have  described. 

Small  though  his  band  was,  numbering  only  six  men  besides 
himself,  he  did  not  hesitate  to  make  the  attack. 

Creeping  up  in  the  darkness,  only  illumined  by  the  moon, 
which  was  veiled  at  intervals  by  passing  clouds,  and  the 
flames  of  distant  Vesuvius,  the  brigands  neared  the  cart. 

Four  rifles  covered  the  four  guards,  and,  at  a  signal  from 
Toro,  the  men  fired  with  fatal  effect. 

The  guards  fell  to  the  ground,  and  Toro  dashed  forward 
with  great  bravery,  reaching  the  cart  just  as  the  alarm  was 
given. 

He  jumped  in,  seized  the  whip,  and  saying  to  Barboni — 
"Courage,  amico  mio — all  is  well  so  far,"  lashed  the  horse 
into  a  gallop,  and  dashed  off  into  the  country. 

The  officer  in  command  fired  his  revolver  without  effect, 
and  the  soldiers  rushed  to  their  arms. 

It  was  too  late. 

This  bold  rescue  had  been  so  well  planned,  and  so  ably 
executed,  that  the  cart  was  out  of  sight  before  the  men  were 
ready  to  fire. 

This  they  did  in  a  volley  as  soon  as  they  could,  and  were 
so  fortunate  as  to  hit  two  out  of  the  six  retreating  brigands. 

These  unfortunates  bit  the  dust,  but  the  others  got  off, 
and,  joining  Toro  by  running  at  the  top  of  their  speed, 
formed  a  small  rear  guard  in  the  case  of  pursuit. 

The  soldiers  followed  up  the  road  at  the  double. 

Toro,  being  well  acquainted  with  the  country,  quitted  the 
high  road  after  going  about  a  mile,  turned  down  a  narrow 
lane,  and  made  for  Possilippo. 

The  soldiers  were  completely  baffled,  and,  furious  with 
rage  and  vexation,  returned  to  barracks,  bearing  their  dead 
with  them. 

The  rescue  of  Barboni  created  the  utmost  excitement  in 


JACK  HARKA  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.       207 

Naples,  and  the  officer  in  charge  was  tried  by  court-martial, 
and  dismissed  the  service  for  his  negligence. 

The  authorities  had  paid  the  traitor  his  price  for  the 
betrayal  of  his  master,  and  after  once  more  having  the 
redoubtable  Barboni  in  their  power,  they  had  let  him  slip 
through  their  fingers. 

Toro  knew  that  a  strict  se2.,ih  would  be  made  all  along  the 
countryside,  and  with  a  tact  very  creditable  to  him,  deter- 
mined to  seek  an  entirely  new  shelter. 

With  this  end  in  view,  he  sought  the  seashore. 

He  had  been  a  boatman  before  he  killed  his  man  in  a 
drunken  quarrel,  and,  to  avoid  the  galleys,  became  a  brigand 
with  a  small  following. 

The  tie  that  existed  between  master  and  man  was  that 
they  had  also  dyed  their  hands  in  the  blood  of  a  fellow- 
creature. 

Toro's  knowledge  of  the  coast  enabled  him  to  remember 
that  in  a  wild,  wave-washed,  rocky  part,  some  distance  from 
Naples,  was  a  cave,  only  accessible  at  low  water. 

At  low  water,  you  could  scramble  over  huge  boulders  of 
rock,  and  reach  the  entrance  without  wading  through  the 
sea. 

But  at  high  tide  there  was  a  considerable  depth  of  water, 
up  to  the  very  edge  of  the  hole  which  gave  admittance  to 
this  hollow  refuge  for  evil-doers. 

In  this  place  Toro  took  refuge,  nor  did  he  rest  until  Bar 
boni  was  placed  in  safety. 

The  cart  was  then  allowed  to  be  carried  wherever  the  un- 
guided  horse  chose  to  take  it. 

A  brigand  was  sent  out  with  money  to  purchase  from  the 
peasantry  some  food,  wine,  and  tobacco,  laden  with  which 
he  returned  in  a  couple  of  hours'  time. 

Barboni  was  deeply  grateful  to  Toro  for  his  brave  rescue. 

"  Wait,"  he  said,  "  until  my  sight  comes  back  to  me,  and 
you  will  see  that  I  know  how  to  reward  my  friends." 

"  Whether  you  ever  become  yourself  again  or  not,"  replied 
Toro,  "  you  can  be  safe  and  cared  for  with  me." 

"  I  am  rejoiced  to  think,"  continued  Barboni,  "  that  the 
accursed  Inglesi  will  not  have  the  proud  satisfaction  of  see- 
ing me  perish  on  the  scaffold.  It  was  that  which  made  me 
tremble  ;  the  triumph  of  one's  enemies  is  so  bitter." 

"  Captain  !  captain  !  "  exclaimed  the  man  on  guard  at  the 
mouth  of  the  cave. 


208      JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

"  Cospetto  !  "  said  Toro,  "  what  is  it,  my  lad  ?  Are  the 
hawks  bearing  down  upon  us  ?  " 

"  Not  so  bad  as  that." 

"  Corpo  di  Baccho  !  What  do  you  disturb  me  for  about 
a  trifle  when  I  am  talking  to  a  greater  brigand  than  ever  you 
will  be  ? " 

"  Holy  Virgin,  signor,  you  speak  the  truth  there,  and  I  am 
as  proud  as  you  can  be  to  have  his  excellency  Barboni  with 
us.  He  does  us  too  much  honour." 

"  Tush  !  how  you  waste  time  in  jabbering.  What's  in  the 
wind  now  ?  " 

"  I  was  scanning  the  bay  with  a  telescope,  when  I  saw  a 
small  boat  rowed  by  two  men.  In  the  stern  sits  a  third, 
who  steers  her." 

"  Well,  by  my  beard,"  laughed  Toro,  "  there's  a  lot  in  that 
to  wonder  at." 

"  But  that  isn't  all." 

"  Ah,  that  makes  it  a  horse  of  another  colour ;  circum- 
stances alter  cases." 

"  Behind  the  little  boat  comes  a  big  one  rowed  by  six 
men,  and  it  seems  to  be  in  pursuit  of  the  little  one." 

"  Diavolo  !  "  said  Toro,  fiercely,  "  that's  not  fair.  What, 
six  agaist  two  !  No,  no,  this  must  be  seen  to." 

"  The  pursued  is  trying  to  make  the  shore  before  the  big 
boat  can  overhaul  it,  which  it  is  doubtful  if  it  will  be  able  to 
do,"  continued  the  brigand. 

*'  I'll  come  out ;  how  is  the  tide  ?  " 

"  Coming  in  fast,  signor,  but  you  can  reach  the  sands 
without  trouble  yet." 

"  Give  me  the  glass,"  exclaimed  Toro. 

He  took  it,  and  advancing  to  the  cave's  entrance,  scanned 
the  horizon,  and  carefully  examined  the  boats. 

There  could  be  no  doubt  that  one  boat  was  followed  by 
the  other,  and  the  rowers  in  each  were  straining  every  nerve. 

Suddenly  Toro  uttered  a  cry. 

"  Per  Baccho  !  "  he  cried,  "  this  is  singular.  The  man  who 
steers  the  little  boat  has  but  one  arm.  Can  it  be  Lieutenant 
Hunstoni  ? " 

At  the  mention  of  Hunston's  name,  Barboni  pricked  up 
his  ears. 

"  Did  you  say  that  Hunstoni  was  in  danger  ?  "  he  asked, 

"It  appears  so  to  me." 

"  Let  him  take  his  fate  then,"  replied  Barboni,  savagely. 


CK  HARKA  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 


209 


"  He  has  robbed  and  insulted  me,  abandoning  me  to  chance. 
May  his  carcase  rot  on  a  dunghill." 

"  Nay,"  said  Toro,  "  I  don't  like  to  see  a  bandit  in  diffi- 
culty ;  if  he  left  you,  he  doubtless  had  his  own  little  game 
to  play.  I'll  go  and  see  further  into  this  matter." 

Barboni  sat  down  again. 

He  was  unable  to  move  about  in  a  strange  place  without 
assistance. 

He  muttered  to  himself  and  cursed  Hunston,  employing  the 
bitterest  invectives  against  him  and  Bigamini. 

His  chief  hope  was  that  he  would  one  day  recover  his 
sight,  dig  up  his  buried  treasure,  and  travel  in  search  of  his 
late  spy  and  lieutenant,  so  that  he  might  shoot  them  down 
like  dogs,  and  have  his  revenge  upon  them  for  their  ill- 
treatment  of  him  when  helpless  and  friendless. 

Meanwhile  Toro  slung  his  rifle  over  his  back  and  de- 
scended to  the  sands,  where  he  placed  himself  behind  a  rock 
and  carefully  scrutinised  the  two  boats. 

Both  boats  were  nearing  the  shore,  and  not  more  than  a 
hundred  and  fifty  yards  divided  the  two. 

Desperate  indeed  were  the  efforts  of  the  rowers. 

Those  in  the  little  boat  were  skilled  watermen,  and  bent 
over  their  oars  like  galley  slaves,  casting  the  spray  high 
into  the  morning  air. 

At  length  Toro  thought  the  time  had  come,  and  raised  his 
rifle. 

He  fired,  and  one  of  the  rowers  in  the  big  boat  fell  back 
mortally  wounded. 

This  unexpected  attack  caused  the  greatest  surprise  and 
consternation  among  the  rowers,  who,  panic-stricken,  ceased 
Aheir  labours. 

Rising  in  the  stern,  the  coxswain  of  the  police  galley  urged 
his  men  to  persist  in  their  work,  which  they  did  with  evident 
reluctance. 

Again  Toro  fired,  and  a  second  man  fell,  considerably 
slackening  the  speed  of  the  craft. 

Not  liking  the  hidden  fire,  the  men  openly  mutinied  and 
refused  to  go  any  nearer  the  ambuscade. 

In  vain  their  leader  exhorted  them  to  continue  to  do  their 
duty  ;  they  turned  their  boat  round  and  stood  out  to  sea 
again. 

A  loud  hurrah  hurled  defiance  at  them;  the  boat  shot 
Vough  the  water  ;  its  nose  grated  against  tb*  sand,  and  a 


210      /A  CK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIG  A  NDS. 

man  stepped  on  shore.  It  was  Hunston,  who  looked  round 
for  his  deliverer,  and  saw  Toro  emerge  from  his  place  of 
concealment  behind  the  rock. 

"  Is  it  you,  my  fine  fellow  ? "  exclaimed  Hunston.  "  Cos- 
petto  !  I  owe  my  life  to  your  friendly  shots." 

"  You  are  welcome,"  replied  Toro.  "  How  did  you  hap- 
pen to  get  into  such  a  mess  ?  " 

"  That  is  easily  told.  I  had  arranged  to  escape  in  a  bark 
which  is  riding  at  anchor  round  the  point,  and  these  brave 
fellows  agreed  to  row  me  to  her  at  daybreak." 

"  I  see,"  said  Toro  ;  "  the  police  were  down  on  you  before 
you  could  get  out  of  the  harbour." 

"  You're  right,  and  a  precious  hard  row  we  had  for  it.  I 
must  have  been  taken  had  it  not  been  for  you ;  and  now, 
my  gay  and  gentle  Toro,  tell  me  the  news.  While  I  was 
skulking  in  a  Trattoria  last  night,  I  heard  that  II  Signer 
Barboni  had  escaped." 

"  Thanks  to  a  little  stratagem  of  mine,  he  is  safe." 

"  Where  ?  " 

Toro  shrugged  his  shoulders  and  looked  doubtfully  at 
Hunston. 

"  Per  Dios ! "  he  replied,  "  I  don't  know  how  to  treat 
you.  The  chief  says  you  deserted  him,  after  using  him 
badly,  and  what  with  the  treachery  of  that  infernal  rascal 
Bigamini — may  he  born  eternally  ! — and  what  with  the 
danger  about,  I  don't  know  who  can  be  trusted." 

Hunston  laughed. 

"  You  can  put  confidence  in  me,  mio  caro ;  if  I  am  no 
longer  a  brigand,  I  am  not  a  traitor.  No,  I  never  sold  a 
pal  in  my  life,  and  have  lived  too  long  to  begin  now,"  he 
answered. 

"  The  chief  is  full  against  you,  and  if  I  take  you  to  my 
cave,  there  will  be  a  tragedy  if  he  knows  you  are  there,  and 
can  pistol  you." 

"  The  old  bat  fs  too  blind  to  be  dangerous,"  replied  Hun- 
ston. "  Let  me  remain  with  you  till  night.  I  will  make 
another  try  for  the  brig  before  the  moon  is  up." 

"  Well,  I'll  trust  you,"  answered  Toro.  "  As  for  me,  I've 
no  malice  against  you." 

Hunston  spoke  to  the  boatmen,  telling  them  to  hide  the 
boat  in  some  cove,  go  to  an  inn,  and  rest  themselves  till 
evening,  and  then  await  him  af  *'<r:  s:imc  spot  after  the  night 
fell. 


JACK  HARK  AW  AY  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.     211 


CHAPTER  LXXIII. 

THE    WOLF    AND    THE    CHILD. 

BIGAMINI  was  afraid,  after  the  murder  of  his  wife,  to  return 
to  Naples,  and  his  idea  was  to  tramp  along  the  coast  until 
he  came  to  some  port  where  he  was  not  known,  hoping  to 
get  away  in  a  ship  to  Genoa  or  Marseilles. 

He  took  a  little  money  out  of  his  belt,  and  put  it  in  his  pocket 
to  pay  the  expenses  of  the  journey. 

One  of  his  accomplishments  was  playing  on  the  flute,  which 
he  could  do  tolerably  well,  and  seeing  a  beggar  with  one  of 
those  instruments,  a  little  way  out  of  Naples,  he  knocked 
him  down  and  stole  it. 

Armed  with  the  flute,  he  tore  his  clothes  to  make  himself 
look  as  poor  as  possible,  and  slouching  his  broad -rimmed  hat 
ever  his  eyes,  he  thought  he  would  pass  as  a  strolling  musi- 
cian. 

The  fatigues  and  anxieties  he  had  gone  through  of  late  made 
him  long  for  a  good  night's  rest,  and  reaching  the  cave  which 
the  sibyl  had  inhabited,  he  resolved  to  indulge  in  as  sound  a 
slumber  as  his  conscience  would  allow  him. 

Scarcely  had  he  set  foot  inside  the  cave  when  a  snapping 
and  snarling  noise  warned  him  that  it  would  be  dangerous 
to  intrude  further  without  making  an  examination  into  the 
cause  of  the  strange  sounds. 

A  steady  look  enabled  him  to  see  a  wolf,  who  bared  his 
gums  and  showed  his  teeth  in  a  threatening  manner. 
"Hullo,  my  boy,  I  think  I  have  seen  you  before,"  said  Big- 
amini. 

It  was  the  witch's  wolf,  who  had  come  back  to  the  old  place, 
but  why  he  should  prevent  anyone  from  entering  it  was  difficult 
to  understand. 

A  childish  voice  suddenly  exclaimed  from  the  depth  of  the 
cave — 

"Be  quiet,  you  wolf,  or  I  shall  have  to  beat  you.     How  cross 
you  are  to-night." 

Bigamini's  eyes  twinkled. 

"Here's  a  go,"  he  said.     "Blest  if  I  ain't  the  luckiest  cove 
out.     It's  Mr.   Harkaway's  kid.     Here's  a  find." 


2  T2       JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGAND^. 

Raising  his  voice  aloud,  he  added — 

"  Master  Jack." 

"  Who's  that  ? "  asked  the  child. 

"  I'm  Mr.  Monday's  friend,"  called  Bigamini.  "  You 
remember  me  ;  I  have  nursed  you  in  the  pantry." 

"  Oh,  yes ;  I  remember  Bigamy.  Have  you  come  to 
fetch  me  home  ?  " 

"  Of  course  I  have." 

"  Come  inside.  It's  very  dark,  but  you'll  soon  get  used 
to  it ;  I  have,  and  the  wolf  won't  let  me  go  out  when  he's 
here." 

"  Call  off  the  wolf." 

The  child  did  so. 

"  Wolfey,  wolfey !  "  he  said,  "  come  here,  sir !  " 

But  the  wolf  wouldn't  move,  and  kept  on  snarling,  as  if 
he  thought  the  intruder  had  come  to  take  the  child  away 
from  him. 

Young  Jack,  seeing  this,  walked  to  the  entrance,  and 
patted  the  wolf  on  the  head,  which  quieted  him  a  little, 
though  he  still  kept  his  eye  on  Bigamini. 

"  He  don't  seem  to  hurt  you,"  said  the  latter. 

"  Not  he  ;  I  like  him.  He  is  a  very  good  wolf,  and  when 
he  took  me  away  from  the  brigands,  though  I  was  frightened, 
he  carried  me  here  so  carefully  and  swam  across  the  river 
with  me  in  his  mouth." 

"  Did  he,  though  ?  It's  a  wonder  he  didn't  make  a  meal 
of  you." 

"  Has  my  papa  killed  the  brigands  ?  "  asked  young  Jack. 

"It's  all  up  with  them;  they're  done  for." 

"  And  I  may  go  home  now,  I  suppose  ?  "  replied  young 
Jack. 

"  We'll  start  to-morrow  morning,  but  we  shall  have  a  long 
walk.  Your  pa  and  ma  have  gone  to  another  place." 

"  Oh,  that's  a  bother,"  said  young  Jack.  "  But  I  don't 
mind  a  bit,  so  long  as  we  get  away  from  here." 

Seeing  the  boy  and  Bigamini  friendly,  the  wolf  ceased  his 
threatening  demonstrations  and  began  to  think  that  it  was 
all  right. 

Bigamini  had  some  supper,  which  young  Jack  generously 
shared  with  him,  and  the  two  went  to  sleep,  the  wolf  lying 
at  their  feet. 

They  were  up  with  the  sun  in  the  morning,  and  prepared 
to  start  on  their  journey. 


JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.       2 13" 

Child-like,  young  Jack  placed  implicit  faith  in  his  new 
friend,  and  thoroughly  believed  that  he  was  going  to  take  him 
home,  when  in  reality  the  rascal  was  going  to  do  just  the 
reverse. 

He  meant  to  take  him  to  France. 

His  plan  was  to  make  Harkaway  pay  a  heavy  ransom  for 
the  restoration  of  his  son. 

They  walked  along  the  dusty  road,  young  Jack  holding 
Bigamini's  hand  and  the  wolf  trotting  along  by  their  side, 
determined  not  to  lose  sight  of  the  boy. 

It  was  a  curious  illustration  of  the  fondness  which  savage 
animals  sometimes  take  to  human  beings. 

This  wolf  was  comparatively  tame,  we  must  remember, 
and  had  lived  with  the  witch  many  years  as  her  pet. 

Perhaps  he  felt  the  want  of  man's  companionship. 

He  was  more  like  a  dog  than  a  wolf,  but  in  reality  these 
two  belong  to  the  same  species,  and  instances  of  tamed 
wolves  are  by  no  means  rare. 

"  Can  you  sing,  Master  Jack  ? "  asked  Bigamini. 

"  Yes,"  said  the  child,  proudly. 

"  What  ? " 

" '  Let  dogs  delight ; '  and  '  I  have  been  there  and  still 
would  go.' " 

"  Those  are  hymns  ;  they  won't  do.  Could  you  learn  a 
little  Italian  song,  from  an  opera  ? "  said  Bigamini. 

"  What  for  ?  "  asked  young  Jack. 

"  I've  got  a  flute,  and  I'm  rather  short  of  money,  so  I 
thought  that  if  I  played  and  you  sang,  we  could  get  some 
help  along  the  road,  because,  as  I  told  you,  your  pa  and  ma 
have  moved,  and  we've  a  long  way  to  go." 

"  Why  didn't  they  give  you  money  when  you  came  after 
me?" 

"They  didn't  know  I  was  going,  and  I  found  you  quite 
by  accident." 

"Oh!  I  see,"  said  the  boy.  "Well,  if  we've  got  to  get 
money,  I'll  learn  a  song." 

"  Try  this — '  Ah  /  the  la  morte?  It's  from  an  opera  and 
very  pretty.  I'll  play  it  you." 

He  took  out  the  flute  from  his  pocket  and  put  the  three 
pieces  together. 

Then  he  began  to  play,  and  though  his  knowledge  of 
music  was  slight,  he  had  the  air  in  his  mind,  and  acquitted 
himself  very  well. 


214      JACK  HARKA  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

Young  Jack  soon  learnt  the  song. 

It  sounded  very  pretty  in  his  childish  treble,  and  Big- 
amini  declared  that  they  should  be  a  great  success  if  they 
went  on  as  well  as  they  had  begun. 


CHAPTER  LXXIV. 

MR.  MOLE  HAS  QUEER  FANCIES. 

WHEN  Jack  Harkaway  came  back  to  Naples,  he  was  in 
high  spirits. 

Harvey,  the  little  coxswain,  and  Clear-the-Track  Sam  were 
all  in  evening  dress  in  the  drawing-room. 

They  had  recovered  from  the  slight  wounds  they  had  re- 
ceived in  the  last  encounter  with  the  brigands,  and  were  anx- 
iously waiting  to  hear  the  news  that  Jack  would  bring  with 
him  from  the  environs  of  Toro  Del  Greco,  whither  he  had 
gone  to  capture  the  chief. 

Emily  had  dressed  herself  and  come  down  to  dinner  for 
the  first  time  since  her  child  was  stolen. 

She  was  very  pale  and  weak,  but  her  face  beamed  with  the 
smile  of  hope. 

"Jack's  late,"  said  Harvey,  looking  at  his  watch.  "  It  is 
a  quarter-past  eight,  and  we  dine  at  eight  usually." 

"  Give  him  another  quarter  of  an  hour,"  said  Walter,  "  if 
Mrs.  Harvey  has  no  objection." 

"  Not  the  slightest,  Mr.  Campbell,"  replied  Hilda. 

"  I  guess  I'm  too  anxious  for  the  news  to  be  hungry,"  said 
Sam.  "  Who'd  have  thought  the  little  spy  would  have  split 
upon  his  master  ? " 

"  It's  always  the  way  with  low-minded  ruffians,"  replied 
Harvey.  "  Take  any  police  case  in  which  some  swell  bur- 
glar is  arrested  ;  the  police  always  say  they  took  him  from  in- 
formation they  received.  Someone  rounds  on  his  pal." 

"  My  dear  Richard,"  said  Hilda,  "  what  strange  language 
to  use  before  ladies." 

"  I  beg  pardon,  my  dear,"  replied  Harvey.  "  I  forgot  you 
were  here." 

At  this  moment  Ada,  Monday's  wife,  came  up  and  asked 
if  they  would  have  dinner,  as  the  cook  said  it  was  quite 
ready. 


JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  J'HE  BRIGANDS.       215 

"  Yes,  if  you  please,  Ada, "  replied  Hilda ;  "  I  don't  think 
Mr.  Harkaway  would  wish  us  to  wait  any  longer  for 
him." 

Ada  went  away  to  order  dinner,  and  just  as  she  came  up 
to  announce  that  it  was  on  the  table,  Jack  sprang  up  the 
stairs  and  bounded  into  the  room, 

"  Hurrah  !  here  is  Harkaway,"  said  the  little  coxswain. 

"  Gentlemen,"  said  Jack,  pardonably  excited  at  the  news 
he  had  to  communicate,  "  I  have  the  pleasure  to  announce 
that  our  labours  are  ended,  for  Barboni  is  a  prisoner  and  at 
this  moment  in  the  hands  of  the  police  on  his  way  to  a  Nea- 
politan prison." 

A  cheer,  such  as  only  British  throats  can  raise,  rang 
through  the  room  and  was  echoed  again  and  again. 

Even  the  ladies  caught  the  infection,  and  clapped  their 
hands  at  the  glorious  news. 

Congratulations  poured  in  upon  Jack  on  all  sides. 

Nothing  was  talked  about  all  dinner-time  but  the  capture 
of  the  brigand. 

They  little  thought  that  a  few  hours  later  they  were  to  hear 
of  Toro's  clever  and  gallant  rescue. 

The  champagne  flowed,  and  all  was  jollity  and  hilarity 
until  the  dessert  was  put  on  the  table. 

After  a  time  the  ladies  retired,  leaving  the  gentlemen  to 
talk  over  their  wine. 

"  I  think,"  said  Jack,  "  Monday  will  find  the  child  and 
then  we  shall  be  able  to  return  to  England,  victorious  in 
everything." 

"  I'm  sorry  we  didn't  capture  Barrn<v.  rn  the  last  fight," 
said  Campbell. 

"  It  would  have  been  more  satisfactory,"  replied  Harvey. 

";  Won't  the  Neapolitans  be  wild,  rather  ?"  observed  Sam. 
"  I've  got  a  lot  of  bets  on  with  fellows  at  the  Europa,  and 
they  don't  want  us  to  nail  their  brigand." 

"Go  and  have  your  coffee,  then,  and  collect  your  debts," 
said  Jack.  "  Barboni  will  be  in  gaol  before  long." 

There  was  a  noise  in  the  passage,  a  crash,  and  presently  in 
walked  Mr.  Mole,  looking  very  gaunt,  thin,  and  ghastly. 

"  By  Jove  !     Mole's  got  loose,"  said  Harvey. 

"  The  deuce  he  has,"  remarked  Jack.  "We  shall  have  a 
bother  in  getting  him  back  again." 

Looking  sternly  at  the  assembled  company,  Mr.  Mole 
seized  a  bottle  and  poured  out  some  wine,  which  he  drank. 


«l6      JACK  HARKAWAY  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

Then  his  rigid  countenance  relaxed,  and  he  said,  with  an 
imbecile  smile — 

"  Here's  to  you,  boys." 

"  Sit  down,  sir.     Are  you  better  ? "  asked  Jack. 

Mr.  Mole's  face  clouded  again,  and  he  said,  striking  an 
attitude — "  Base  menial  !  what  means  this  revelry  ?  " 

"  We're  drinking  your  health,  Mr.  Mole." 

"  Mole  !  who's  he  ?  I  know  not  the  man,"  replied  that 
individual.  "  Don't  you  know  me?" 

"  No,  we  don't,"  said  Jack,  with  a  wink  to  his  friends. 

"None  of  you  ?" 

"  No,"  said  Harvey ;  "  if  you  are  not  Mr.  Mole,  I  don't 
know  you." 

"  Who  is  this  Mole  ?  "  asked  the  professor. 

"  A  friend  of  ours." 

"  No  matter,  let  Mole  go.  I'll  tell  you  in  confidence  who 
I  am." 

"Who?" 

"  I'm  Mount  Vesuvius  in  a  state  of  eruption ;  at  least, 
I'm  going  to  be  in  eruption  presently,  and  if  you  don't  pump 
on  me.  I  shall  burn  the  house  down  ;  that's  why  I've  been 
drinking  so  much  lately.  I  knew  I  was  going  to  erupt,  and 
I  thought  I'd  put  the  fire  out." 

"We'll  pump  on  you,  sir,"  said  Clear-the-Track ;  "I  cal- 
culate I'm  a  good  fireman." 

"  For  Heaven's  sake,"  replied  Mole,  "  don't  joke  about 
this  matter;  it's  getting  very  serious." 

"  Let's  take  the  gentleman  into  the  garden  and  put  him 
under  the  pump,"  suggested  Sam.  "  I'll  soon  make  apple 
squash  of  him." 

Mole  threw  himself  into  an  arm-chair,  and  took  hold  of  a 
bottle,  at  which  he  sucked  quietly. 

"  Come  on,"  said  the  little  coxswain ;  "  we'll  pump  OB 
you." 

Mr.  Mole's  mood  changed. 

"  Not  to-day,  baker,  thank  you,"  he  replied,  with  a  bland 
smile;  "you  can  call  to-morrow  with  a  crusty  cottage.  I'm 
very  comfortable,  and  a  person  of  my  consideration  ought 
not  to  be  molested  by  menials.  Horace  says,  duke  est  desi- 
pere  in  loco,  which  you  may  freely  translate — it  is  sweet  for? 
man  to  sip  this  wine.  Let  me  sip." 

Jack  touched  him  on  the  shoulder. 

"  Come,  sir,"  he  said,  "you  must  go  with  me." 


JA  CK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.       2 1 7 

"  Must !  That's  a  harsh  word  to  employ  to  a  king.  Am 
I  a  captive  monarch  ? " 

"  No  foolishness.'1 

"  I  am  not  aware  that  I  have  deserved  this  language. 
Who  are  you  ?  "  asked  Mole. 

"  You  know  me  well  enough,"  said  Jack. 

Mole  tapped  his  forehead. 

"  Are  you  the — the  Shah  ? "  he  asked. 

"No." 

"  Ah !  then  you  are  a  Carthaginian.  No  matter,  let  me 
sip." 

He  took  another  pull  at  the  bottle. 

"  Put  that  down,  sir,"  said  Jack,  authoritatively. 

"  Avaunt,  Carthaginian  !  "  said  Mole,  angrily,  waving  his 
hand. 

"  You  must  come  with  me." 

"  Let  me  sip,"  pleaded  Mole. 

"  You've  sipped  long  enough,  and  it's  for  your  good  that 
I  want  to  keep  you  quiet  for  a  few  days.  Come  with  me." 

"  Won't  you  let  me  sip  ?  "  asked  Mole,  pleadingly, 

"  Not  now.     Come  to  your  room.     I'll  sit  up  with  you." 

"  What !  A  gaoler !  A  Carthaginian  gaoler,"  said  Mole ; 
"  this  is  too  much.  Must  Philip  of  Macedon  and  th  cousin 
of  the  King  of  Otaheite  put  up  with  this  ? " 

Jack  turned  to  his  friends. 

"  Run  up  to  the  Cafe  di  Europa  and  see  what  the  Naples 
swells  think  of  the  news,  will  you  ? — and  I'll  look  after  Mr. 
Mole.  He'll  be  all  right  if  I  keep  him  away  from  the  lush 
for  a  few  days,"  he  said. 

"  All  right,"  replied  Harvey,  "though  I'll  stop  with  Mole, 
if  you'd  like  to  go  instead  of  me." 

"  No,  thanks.  Emily  is  very  poorly,  and  she'd  like  to 
have  me  in  the  house  with  her." 

The  others  departed,  and  with  some  difficulty,  Jack  got 
Mr.  Mole  up  stairs  to  his  bedroom,  and  sent  for  a  doctor, 
who  administered  a  sleeping  draught  to  his  patient. 

This  was  very  strong,  and  soon  took  effect  upon  Mr.  Mole's 
weakened  brain. 

When  Jack  saw  him  in  a  sound  slumber,  he  locked  the 
door,  taking  care  to  remove  a  razor  and  a  pair  of  scissors, 
lest  he  might  injure  himself  in  the  night. 

He  visited  his  wife  and  found  her  much  better ;  she  begged 
him  to  go  to  the  drawing-room  and  keep  Lily  and  Hilda 


2 1 8      JACK  HA RKA  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

company,  as  she  was  going  to  bed,  and  she  assured  him  that 
she  would  not  mope  any  more  and  had  determined  to  get 
well  and  strong  again. 

"  There  is  an  overruling  Providence,  Jack  dear,  and  I 
have  been  punished  for  not  putting  my  trust  in  it,"  she  said. 

"  I  only  have  you  in  the  world  to  care  for,  my  love,"  he 
said  ;  "  and  you  ought  to  try  to  get  well,  for  my  sake." 

"I  will,  dearest." 

"  You  don't  know  how  it  grieves  me  to  see  you  like  this," 
he  added. 

"  Get  me  back  my  child  and  quit  Naples ;  that's  all  the 
medicine  I  want,"  she  replied. 

"  I  hope  to  be  able  to  do  so  soon,"  he  said,  kissing  her 
affectionately. 

He  went  down  stairs  and  found  Hilda  playing  and  sing- 
ing. 

She  selected  Longfellow's  "  Excelsior !  "  and  when  she  had 
finished,  she  said — 

"  I  always  think  of  you  when  I  sing  that  song,  Mr.  Hark- 
away." 

"  May  I  ask  why  ?  "  asked  Jack. 

"  Because,  when  you  have  killed  a  dozen  brigands,  you 
want  to  kill  a  dozen  more.  The  meaning  of  the  word,  I 
think  is  higher." 

"  Yes,"  said  Jack. 

"  Well,  you  are  always  wanting  to  achieve  something  more 
than  you  have  hitherto  done." 

"Thank  you,"  said  Jack.  "  I  take  it  as  a  great  com- 
pliment." 

At  this  moment  the  little  coxswain  rushed  into  the  room, 

"  What's  ruffled  your  feathers,  young  one  ?  "  he  asked. 

"  There's  an  awful  row  at  the  Cafe  di  Europa ;  come  up 
at  once,"  was  the  reply. 

"  Yes." 

"  There  are  half-a-dozen  Italians  to  one  Englishman.  I 
have  left  the  fun  to  tell  you." 

"  But  Sam  and  Harvey " 

"  Are  fighting  like  bricks." 

"  By  Jove  !  I'm  on,'1  said  Jack. 

The  little  coxswain  was  pale  and  excited. 

Jack  did  not  stop  to  say  anything  to  the  ladies. 

He  rushed  away,  put  on  his  hat  in  the  passage  and  ran 
along  the  street  with  Walter. 


gACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.       *  19 

"  What's  the  row  about  ?  "  he  asked,  as  they  pelted  up 
the  Strada  di  Toledo. 

"We  were  chaffing  the  fellows  about  catching  the  brigand 
when  the  chief  of  the  police  came  in  and  said  he'd  escaped," 
answered  Walter. 

"  Impossible." 

"  It's  true." 

Jack's  cheeks  blanched  and  he  bit  his  lips  angrily. 

"  How  did  it  happen  ? "  he  asked. 

"  They  say  this  new  brigand  Toro  surprised  the  soldiers 
whiie  tney  were  bivouacking." 

*'  1  wouldn't  have  had  it  happen  on  any  account,"  said 
fack.  "  What  duffers  these  Italians  are." 

<s  1-nat's  what  we  said,  and  then  they  insulted  us  and 
called  us  thief  catchers,  so  we  pitched  in,"  said  the  little 
coxswain. 

"  I  see." 

"We  were  beginning  to  get  the  worst  of  it,  and  I  set  off 
to  fetch  you  thinking  you  wouldn't  like  to  be  out  of  it." 

"  Thsnk  you.     Come  on,"  answered  Jack,  hurriedly. 

SidG  »y  side  they  ran  along  until  they  reached  the  Cafe* 
di  Europa,  from  the  interior  of  which  sounds  of  conflict 
proceedo« . 

Jack  >ws  eager  and  panting  for  the  fray. 


CHAPTER  LXXV. 

THE  ROW  AT  THE  CAFE  DI  EUROPA. 

WHEN  Jack  and  Walter  entered  the  cafe*  they  found  every 
thing  in  confusion. 

Some  of  the  less  excitable  or  more  respectable  frequenters 
of  the  place  looked  on  at  the  riot  or  tried  to  stop  it. 

But  about  half  a  dozen  were  figh  ng  with  Sam  and  Har- 
vey, who  had  fixed  their  backs  against  the  wall  and  were 
fighting  as  only  Englisnmen  can  fight. 

As  Jack  put  in  an  appearance,  Sam  made  a  rush,  crying 
"  Clear  the  track ! "  and  a  couple  of  Neapolitans  rolled 
over. 

Fierce  oaths  and  savage  Italian  cries  rang  through  the 
room. 


1 20       fA  CK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

"  Down  with  the  English !  Tarn  them  out,"  was  heard  o& 
all  sides. 

Jack  took  a  calm  view  of  the  scene. 

He  saw  that  his  two  friends  were  outnumbered,  and  thai 
they  were  being  badly  knocked  about. 

No  amount  of  talking  would  have  saved  them,  for  the 
Italians  were  excited,  and  each  moment  a  new  recruit  from 
the  onlookers  joined  the  heavy  odds  already  arrayed  against 
them. 

"  Do  you  feel  fit  ?  "  said  Jack  to  Walter. 

"  Never  felt  more  like  fighting  in  my  life/' 

"  Cut  in,  then." 

Jack  turned  up  his  coat  sleeves,  put  his  hat  a  little 
back  on  his  head,  and  shouting  "  Oxford  for  ever ! "  attacked 
the  nearest  man. 

It  was  like  playing  at  ninepins  directly  Jack  began. 

His  strong  arm  was  like  a  poleaxe,  and  the  Neapolitans  re- 
sembled cattle  in  the  shfimbies. 

Harvey,  hearing  Jack's  voice,  plucked  up,  and  it  was  time 
that  assistance  came,  for,  brave  as  he  was,  he  could  net  have 
held  out  much  longer,  as  he  was  pretty  well  pummelled 
by  the  three  or  four  men  who  were  constantly  striking  at 
him. 

In  less  than  five  minutes,  the  four  friends  had  cleared  that 
part  of  the  room,  and  the  Italians  had  had  enough  of  it. 

They  stood  glaring  at  their  opponents  and  chattering  like 
monkeys,  afraid  to  begin  again,  though  there  were  at  least 
a  couple  dozen  of  them. 

One  Italian  drew  a  knife  and  brandished  it  in  the  air  ex- 
claiming— 

"  I  am  not  afraid  of  these  brigand-hunting  Inglesi.  They 
fight  like  boatmen.  We  are  gentlemen  and  cannot  use  our 
hands  as  they  do.  Will  either  of  them  have  the  courage 
to  fight  with  a  knife  ? " 

There  was  a  momentary  silence. 

"  We  do  not  use  knives  in  England,"  replied  Jack. 

"  Ha  !  ha  !  "  laughed  the  Italians  ;  "  they  are  cowards. 
Count  Victor  is  right.  They  are  afraid.  Ha  !  ha !  ha  ! " 

Derisive  laughter  rang  through  the  room  and  found  an 
echo  in  ever  gilded  corner. 

"  We  will  fight  you  with  our  fists,  and  beat  you  as  we  Have 
done  already,  though  you  are  six  to  one  against  us,"  said 
Jack, 


JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.        221 

"  No,  no  ;  we  can't  fight  with  blackguards,"  answered 
Count  Victor,  whose  dark,  flashing  eye  gleamed  vengefully. 

"  The  knife  !  the  knife  !  "  cried  the  Italians. 

The  aspect  of  affairs  was  becoming  serious,  and  Jack  saw 
that  they  would  go  with  tarnished  honour  if  the  challenge 
was  not  accepted. 

Clear-the-Track  was  cool  and  collected,  seeming  to  enjoy 
the  excitement  which  prevailed  on  all  sides  of  him. 

"  I  guess,"  he  said,  "  that  I  know  how  to  use  that  weapon, 
so  if  you'll  let  me  tackle  this  fellow,  Harkaway,  I'll  top  him 
as  a  warning  to  the  rest." 

"  It's  my  quarrel,"  replied  Jack. 

"  No ;  it  is  not.  You  weren't  here  when  it  began.  I 
reckon  I  commenced  it." 

But  Jack  was  obstinate. 

He  would  not  give  way. 

"  No,"  he  answered.  "  They've  fixed  upon  me,  thank  you 
all  the  same  for  your  offer,  and  I  do  not  feel  inclined  to  show 
the  white  feather." 

"  Take  my  bowie,  then,"  said  Sam. 

He  handed  Jack  a  handsome  bowie-knife,  which  opened 
with  a  snap,  the  advantage  being  that  when  the  spring 
in  the  back  had  caught  the  blade,  it  held  it  fast. 

The  knife  could  not  shut  up  again  and  cut  his  knuckles, 

"  Do  you  accept  my  challenge  ? "  asked  the  count. 

"  I  do,"  replied  Jack. 

Count  Victor  bowed  politely  in  answer  to  Jack's  accept- 
ation of  the  challenge,  and  a  scarcely  perceptible  smile  crept 
round  the  corner  of  his  well-cut  mouth. 

He  considered  that  he  had  his  antagonist  at  a  disadvantage. 

The  count  was  a  tall,  thin,  aigle,  well-made  man,  who  was 
held  in  high  esteem  by  his  countrymen. 

Taking  off  his  coat  and  waistcoat,  he  tied  a  silk  hand- 
kerchief round  his  waist,  and  turning  up  his  right  hand  shirt 
sleeve,  displayed  a  white,  muscular  arm. 

Jack  disdained  to  throw  off  anything,  and  prepared  to  fight 
as  he  was. 

A  space  was  cleared  in  the  centre  of  the  room,  the  door 
was  locked  inside  to  prevent  impertinent  interference  on  the 
part  of  the  public  or  the  police. 

The  spectators  formed  a  ring,  and  betting  on  the  event  be- 
came brisk,  the  odds  being  heavily  and  freely  laid  against  the 
Englishman. 


222 

When  everything  was  ready,  the  two  men  faced  one  another. 

"  Are  you  ready,  signor  ?  "  asked  the  count,  with  perfect 
sase  and  polfteness. 

"  Quite,"  replied  Jack. 

The  duello  then  commenced. 

Jack  kept  his  eye  fixed  upon  that  of  the  Italian,  which 
was  bright,  liquid,  gleaming. 

They  faced  one  another  for  some  time  and  gradually  moved, 
the  count  going  round  Jack,  and  the  latter  turning  slowly  so 
as  to  keep  him  well  in  view. 

At  length  the  count  came  to  close  quarters. 

He  made  a  thrust  at  Jack,  which  the  latter  parried,  but 
not  without  receiving  a  cut  which  ripped  up  his  coat  sleev* 

It  was  a  fearful  sight  to  behold  those  men,  with  their  flash- 
ing knives  throwing  back  the  light  of  the  many  gas  lamps, 
seeking  who  should  spill  the  other's  blood. 

Neither  the  Italians  nor  the  English  spoke  a  word. 

"  Ha  !  "  cried  the  count,  forcing  Jack's  guard  and  thrust- 
ing at  his  heart. 

Jack  stepped  back  hurriedly,  and  felt  the  point  of  the  knife 
graze  his  skin  ;  quickly  he  threw  himself  on  the  Italian,  who, 
not  having  time  to  recover  himself,  presented  his  left  arm  to 
shield  his  body. 

The  knife's  point  ran  up  his  arm  from  the  wrist  to  the 
elbow,  ripping  up  the  shirt,  and  leaving  a  long  red  mark, 
from  which  the  blood  fell  on  the  floor  in  a  hot,  steaming 
stream. 

The  pent-up  excitement  burst  out  in  a  deep  groan  at  this 
untoward  hit. 

Count  Victor's  face  became  convulsed  with  anger. 

His  equanimity  vanished,  and  he  was  at  once  transformed 
into  a  savage,  so  furious  was  he  at  this  lucky  thrust,  which, 
without  crippling  him,  threatened  to  weaken  him  by  loss  of 
blood. 

Jack  now  kept  himself  on  the  defensive. 

His  tactics  were  to  exhaust  his  adversary,  who,  with  de- 
moniac howls,  made  frantic  thrusts  at  him,  springing  wildly 
about,  and  sa-ha-ing  like  a  professional  swordsman. 

In  spite  of  his  vigilance,  Jack  received  several  small 
wounds,  which  drew  blood,  and  made  him  smart  with  pain. 

He  saw  that  he  was  getting  weaker,  and  he  determined 
to  use  his  great  strength. 

Accordingly  he  boldly  rushed  upon  the  count. 


JA CK  HA RKA  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.       2 23 

He  seized  his  wrist,  and  held  it  as  in  a  vice  with  his  left 
hand,  but  the  count  managed  to  wriggle  the  edge  of  the  knife 
near  his  opponent's  body,  and  the  blade,  cutting  through  his 
clothes,  grazed  his  ribs,  making  a  flesh  wound. 

But  he  was  powerless  after  this,  for  Jack  still  held  him 
tightly,  and  paused  for  an  opportunity  to  strike  in  a  place 
which  would  not  be  fatal. 

Accordingly  he  plunged  his  knife  into  the  count's  right 
shoulder,  and  the  wretched  man  fell  fainting  to  the  ensan- 
guined floor. 

The  useless  knife  dropped  from  his  nerveless  hand. 

With  both  arms  disabled,  he  was  obliged  to  give  up  the 
contest  and  own  himself  beaten. 

Bestowing  a  proud  look  upon  the  Italians,  Jack  retired 
amongst  his  friends,  and  sat  down. 

As  he  walked,  he  left  a  trail  of  blood  behind  him,  for  his 
clothes  were  saturated,  and  he  was  bleeding  freely. 

"  Bravo,  Jack,"  exclaimed  Harvey.  "  You  did  that  in  fine 
style.  By  Jove  !  it's  the  most  plucky  thing  I  ever  saw  you  do." 

"  Are  you  much  hurt  ?  "  asked  the  little  coxswain. 

"  I  am  battered  a  bit,"  replied  Jack. 

Sam  approached  with  a  cup  of  wine,  which  he  handed  to 
him. 

"  Heroes  ain't  above  drinking,  I  guess,"  he  said. 

Jack  drank  the  wine  eagerly. 

"  Call  a  coach,  Dick,"  he  said  to  Harvey.  "  I  must  get 
home  and  stop  this  bleeding,  or  I  shall  be  as  weak  as  a  rat 
to-morrow." 

Harvey  spoke  to  one  of  the  waiters,  who  went  in  search  of 
a  fiacre. 

Count  Victor  meanwhile  had  been  raised  by  his  discon- 
solate and  chopfallen  friends. 

He  was  suffering  the  most  acute  agony  from  the  two  job- 
bing blows  he  had  received  in  the  shoulder,  each  of  which 
had  penetrated  to  the  bone  and  cut  through  important  veins 
and  muscles. 

His  oaths  and  curses  were  painful  to  listen  to. 

He  called  the  saints  to  witness  that  he  would  have  a  fear- 
ful revenge  for  the  defeat  he  had  sustained. 

One  of  the  frequenters  of  the  cafe  was  a  doctor,  and  he  at- 
tended to  the  count's  wounds. 

He  had  not  the  courtesy,  however,  to  extend  the  offer  of 
his  surgical  skill  to  Harkaway. 


224      JACK  HARKA  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

Presently  the  fiacre  rolled  up  to  the  door. 

"  Good-evening,  gentlemen,"  said  Jack.  "  I  beg  to  thank 
you  sincerely  for  the  little  amusement  you  have  been  so  good 
as  to  offer  me  this  ^evening.  I  shall  not  target  you,  believe 
me." 

The  four  men  got  into  the  coach,  and  were  driven  in  a  few 
minutes  to  the  Strada  di  Toledo. 

When  Jack  was  landed,  Harvey  set  off  again  in  search  of 
a  doctor. 

Jack  requested  to  be  put  in  a  room  on  the  ground  floor,  so 
that  the  ladies  might  not  be  alarmed. 

Especially  he  was  anxious  that  Emily  should  not  hear  that 
he  had  been  fighting  a  duel  and  was  wounded,  though  in 
reality  his  hurts  were  not  of  a  serious  nature. 

But  a  wife's  ears  are  very  sharp,  and  hearing  the  men 
come  in,  Emily  became  alarmed  when  Jack  did  not  appear. 

She  had  gone  to  bed,  but  quickly  wrapping  herself  in  a 
dressing-gown,  she  ran  downstairs  before  anyone  could  stop 
her. 

Jack  had  stripped  to  the  waist,  and  Walter  was  busily  en- 
gaged in  sponging  the  cuts,  having  a  basin  of  warm  water  on 
a  chair,  and  counting  the  wounds. 

"  He's  grazed  you  pretty  well  about  the  ribs,  and  touched 
you  with  the  point,  too,  all  over,"  said  the  little  coxswain. 

"  How  many  digs  has  he  given  me  ?  "  asked  Jack. 

"  I've  counted  fifteen.     Got  any  below  the  waist  ? " 

"  One  in  the  right  thigh,  I  think.     It  feels  stiff." 

"  That  makes  sixteen.  What  a  fight  it  was,  eh !  "  said 
Walter. 

At  this  moment  Emily  entered  the  room. 

She  shuddered  at  the  ghastly  spectacle  Harkaway  pre- 
sented, his  naked  body  being  cut  about  in  a  fantastic  manner, 
and  the  blood  still  issuing  from  the  slashing  wounds. 

"  Oh,  Jack  !  "  she  exclaimed,  tearfully. 

"  My  dear  Emmy,"  replied  Jack,  "  this  is  wrong.  You 
should  not  have  done  this." 

"  How  could  I  help  it  ?  You  know  how  I  love  you,  dear- 
est, and  I  feared  something  had  happened.  Are  you  dan- 
gerously hurt  ? " 

"  Chuck  a  towel  or  two  over  me,  Walter,"  said  Jack. 

The  little  coxswain  did  so. 

"  There  is  no  harm  done,  dear,  beyond  what  a  little  dia- 
chylon sticking  plaster  will  soon  put  right,"  he  went  on. 


JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.       225 

"  The    doctor   is   expected   every   minute,   so  you   mustn't 
fret." 

"  How  did  it  happen  ? " 

"The  boys  got  into  a  row  at  the  Cafe  di  Europa.  Har 
vey  and  Sam  were  getting  the  worst  of  it,  and  they  sent  for 
me.  I  was  obliged  to  look  after  my  boys,  you  know,  Emmy." 

"  Well  ? " 

"  I  had  to  polish  off  the  '  furrineers,'  and  a  Count  Victor 
challenged  me  to  fight  with  knives.  He's  sorry  for  it  now.'' 

"  Is  he  dead  ?  "  asked  Emily,  trembling  again. 

"  No.  I  might  have  killed  him  if  I'd  liked,  mightn't  I, 
young  one  ?  " 

"  Yes,  twice  over,"  answered  the  coxswain. 

"  Oh,  Jack,  dear,  dear  Jack,  when  will  all  these  troubles  be 
over  ?  "  said  Emily.  "  I  am  not  so  strong  as  I  was  once,  and 
you  are  so  brave  that  I  never  know  what  may  happen.  I  am 
always  nenrous  about  you,  and  this  place  is  killing  me." 

"  We  shall  soon  go  away,  my  pet,"  replied  Jack. 

"  Really  ? " 

"  Most  certainly.  All  we  have  to  do  is  to  find  the  child, 
and  see  Barboni  die  on  the  scaffold,  then  ho  !  for  England 
once  more.  By  the  way,  have  you  seen  Monday  ? " 

"  No,  he  hasn't  returned  yet,  and  his  wife,  Ada,  is  very  anx- 
ious about  him.  Oh  !  Jack,  this  life  amidst  constant  ex- 
citement may  be  very  agreeable  to  you  men,  but  it  is  death 
to  poor,  weak  little  women." 

Jack  was  going  to  reply,  but  a  sudden  faintness  came 
over  him. 

He  dropped  his  head  back,  and  gasped  for  breath. 

"  Ta — take  her  away,"  he  murmured. 

The  next  moment  he  fell  back  on  the  bed,  and  became 
insensible. 

Brave  and  strong  as  he  was,  his  constitution  was  not 
made  of  cast-iron,  and  he  felt  the  inevitable  effect  of  loss  of 
blood,  pain,  and  excitement. 

Just  then,  the  doctor  entered  with  Harvey,  who  conducted 
Emily  to  her  own  room,  giving  her  in  charge  of  Hilda  and 
Lily. 

Jack's  wounds  were  attended  to,  he  was  put  to  bed,   and 
the  doctor  had  an  interview  with  the  anxious  wife,  assuring 
her  that  there  was  no  danger,  and  quieting  her  fears. 
1S 


226     JA CK  HARKA  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 
CHAPTER  LXXVI. 

HUNSTON   AMUSES  AN  IDLE  HOUR. 

WHEN  Hunston  was  conducted  to  the  cave  by  the  sea- 
shore, Toro  advised  him  not  to  say  any  thing  which  might 
irritate  Barboni. 

"  The  old  lion  has  had  his  claws  cut,"  he  remarked,  "  but 
there  is  a  kick  in  him  yet ;  he  bares  his  gums,  shows  his 
teeth,  and  would  bite  if  he  could  see  where  to  plant 
them." 

"  I'm  not  afraid  of  him,"  replied  Hunston. 

They  made  their  way  over  the  rocks  and  entered  the  cave, 
in  which  the  brigands  had  prepared  such  a  dinner  as  their 
desperate  position  would  allow  them. 

Fish  caught  in  holes  of  the  rocks,  and  goat's  meat 
plundered  from  the  peasantry,  did  not  make  a  bad  meal, 
helped  out  with  black  bread  and  swine's  flesh,  and  washed 
down  with  a  draught  of  wine. 

Barboni  sat  sullenly  by  himself,  eating  what  was  given 
him  in  silence. 

At  length  he  recognised  Hunston's  voice. 

"  Ha  !  "  he  exclaimed,  "  I  hear  tones  I  used  to  know  well. 
Is  Hunstoni  among  you  ?  " 

" I'm  here,  caro  mio"  replied  Hunston.  "  Shake  hands 
and  be  friends." 

"  You  robbed  and  deserted  me  in  my  hour  of  need,"  said 
Barboni.  "  Is  Toro  here  ? " 

"  Not  far  off,  old  lion,"  answered  the  brigand. 

"  You  are  my  friend  ?      Have  Hunstoni  shot." 

Toro  laughed  aloud  and  replied — 

"  No,  no,  we  can't  do  that  sort  of  thing.  Hunstoni  is  my 
guest;  he  will  go  away  again  to-night,  and  his  life  is  sacred 
in  my  eyes  as  he  has  not  been  a  traitor  and  he  has  broken 
bread  with  me." 

"  Shoot  the  scoundrel !  "  roared  Barboni.  "  Give  me  a 
pistol ;  I  will  rid  the  earth  of  a  villain  myself." 

"  Shut  up,  you  old  fool,"  said  Hunston.  "  I'll  put  a  bullet 
in  you,  in  a  brace  of  shakes,  you  imbecile." 

Barboni  took  up  the  glass  he  had  been  drinking  out  of, 


EARKA  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 


227 


threw  it  in  the  direction  from  which  Hunston's  voice 
proceeded. 

Being  blind,  he  could  not  take  good  aim,  and  it  shattered 
itself  against  the  adjoining  rock. 

"  Don't  destroy  the  crockery,  Barboni,"  said  Toro,  mildly. 
"That's  our  only  glass,  and  we  shall  hrvve  to  drink  out  of 
the  bottle  now.  Cospetto !  you  are  not  the  Prince  di  Vil- 
lanova,  in  Castel  Inferno.  Where  the  deuce  do  you  get  your 
extravagant  ideas  from  ? " 

Barboni  sat  down  and  covered  his  face  with  his  hands. 

"All  are  against  me — all,"  he  muttered  with  a  sob. 

Hunston  lighted  a  pipe,  and  drank  some  more  wine. 

"  Been  on  the  road  lately  ?  "  he  asked. 

"  We've  had  no  time  since  we  rescued  Barboni  from  the 
soldiers,"  answered  Toro. 

"  It's  devilish  slow  here/'  said  Hunston  ;  "  suppose  we 
amuse  an  idle  hour?" 

"  I  should  like  it.  Per  Baccho  !  "  replied  the  giant 
stretching  his  brawny  limbs,  "that  is  just  what  I  want; 
laziness  kills  me." 

"  How  are  you  off  for  cash  ? " 

"But  poorly.     We  have  had  no  luck  lately." 

"  What  do  you  say  to  stopping  the  mail  train,  which  passes 
a  spot  not  far  from  here  at  mid-day  ? "  said  Hunston. 

"  Corpo  di  Christo  !  "  swore  the  Herculean  brigand, 
"  that  idea  never  occurred  to  me." 

"Will  you  do  it?" 

"  If  you  assist." 

"  I'll  do  more  ;  I'll  lead.  It  is  my  suggestion.  You  and 
your  men  come  with  me  at  once,  armed  with  axes  and  re- 
volvers, and  I'll  show  you  how  to  rob  a  train,"  said  Hunston. 

The  brigand  was  delighted  with  the  idea,  and  gave  orders 
for  his  small  band  to  be  in  readiness  at  once. 

Barboni  listened  to  all  that  was  going  on  in  a  sulky  sort 
of  manner,  and  when  he  had  gathered  from  the  conversation 
that  an  expedition  was  being  planned,  his  old  spirit  was 
warmed  up,  and  he  was  anxious  to  make  one  of  the  party. 

To  stop  and  rob  the  mail  train  was  a  grand  enterprise, 
which  was  just  the  sort  of  thing  he  liked. 

Now  he  felt  the  bitterness  of  being  blind. 

In  the  agony  of  his  heart  he  said  to  himself — 

"  Better  were  I  dead  than  like  this." 

"  We  shan't  be  long,  old  lion,"  said  Toro. 


228      JACK  HARKA  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

"  I  would  give  ten  years  of  my  life  to  go  with  you,"  replied 
Barboni. 

"  It  is  useless.  You  can  not  see,  and  you  would  be  in  the 
way,"  remarked  Hunston. 

The  brigands  went  away,  leaving  Barboni  swearing  like  a 
pagan,  half  out  of  his  mind,  and  vowing  that  he  would  have 
a  fearful  revenge  upon  Hunston  before  long. 

Hunston  had  a  time-table  with  him,  which  he  had  bought 
with  a  view  of  escaping  by  train,  an  idea  he  was  forced  to 
abandon  when  he  found  that  the  station  was  watched  by  the 
police  to  prevent  any  of  the  brigands  from  getting  away. 

A  large  tree  grew  close  to  the  line,  and  Hunston  calculated 
that  if  it  was  cut  down,  it  would  fall  over  the  metals. 

Pointing  to  it,  he  said  to  the  brigands  who  were  armed 
with  axes — 

"  Cut  it  down,  quick ;  the  mail  is  due  in  fifteen  minutes." 

Two  men  placed  themselves  on  either  side  of  the  tree. 

Soon  the  axes  were  raised  high  above  their  shoulders  and 
flashed  through  the  air,  coming  in  contact  with  the  wood, 
and  causing  a  dull  thudding  echo  to  result. 

"  Hark !  "  cried  Hunston,  putting  his  hand  to  his  ear. 

The  steady  beat  of  the  engine  was  heard,  and  the  rattle 
of  the  train  as  it  came  through  a  cutting  some  miles  off. 

"  The  train,  the  train  !  "  exclaimed  the  brigands. 

"  Cut  away  for  your  lives  !  "  cried  Hunston. 

The  noise  of  the  approaching  train  came  rapidly  nearer 
and  yet  more  near. 

At  length  it  was  visible  at  the  edge  of  a  curve. 

On  came  the  panting  Behemoth,  dragging  after  it  a  dozen 
carriages  and  a  guard's  brake. 

Crash ! 

The  tree  fell,  and  luckily  tumbled  across  the  line,  where 
it  completely  blocked  both  the  six-foot  and  the  permanent 
way. 

There  was  a  shrill  whistle,  prolonged  and  terrible. 

The  driver  of  the  engine  had  seen  the  impediment  in  his 
path  and  turned  on  the  steam  whistle. 

Suddenly  it  ceased. 

He  merely  meant  it  as  a  signal  to  the  guard  to  put  on  the 
brake,  and  the  next  moment  the  steam  was  shut  off  and  the 
engine  reversed. 

The  engine-driver  and  his  mate,  seeing  that  a  collision 
with  the  tree  was  now  inevitable,  jumped  off  the  engine. 


JACKHARKAn      Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.      229 

Presently  the  train,  going  at  a  very  reduced  speed,  struck 
the  tree,  and  the  engine  bounded  over  it,  coming  to  a  stand- 
still until  the  carriages  bumped  up  against  it  and  turned 
k  on  its  side. 

The  brigands  now  rushed  to  the  carriages. 

Screams  and  groans  came  from  every  carriage,  for  though 
n«*  '^e  ^vas  killed,  most  of  the  passengers  were  badly  bruised 
<trd  ^  nocked  about. 

S.omc.  had  limbs  broken  by   the  terrible  shock. 

It  was  an  easy  task  for  Toro  and  his  men  to  collect  the 
valuables  that  the  injured  and  panic-stricken  passengers  had 
about  them. 

Hunston  directed  his  attention  to  the  van,  where  he  found 
the  guard  sitting  on  a  box. 

"  What  have  you  got  there  ?  "  he  asked. 

"  What  you  shan't  have,"  replied  the  guard,  resolutely. 

Hunston  levelled  his  revolver  at  him  and  shot  him  dead. 

"  That's  soon  settled,"  >    muttered. 

His  next  care  was  to  ypen  the  box,  in  which  he  found 
eight  bags  of  gold,  which  he  fastened  together  with  a  cord 
and  slung  round  his  neck. 

The  weight  was  so  great  that  he  rx::it  under  it. 

"  Retreat ! "  he  shouted. 

Toro  and  his  men  instantly  left  th^  ruined  train  and 
joined  Hunston,  who  quickly  led  the  wa-/  *.o  the  sea-shore. 

The  passengers  were  unarmed,  and  had  they  not  been, 
they  were  too  much  frightened  and  hurt  to  ;Mo\v  the  rob- 
bers, who  retired  unmolested  with  their  plunder. 

When  they  reached  the  cave,  the  gold  was  divided  in 
equal  shares,  as  well  as  the  jewellery,  and  Hunston  was  able 
to  fill  a  second  belt  with  his  ill-gotten  gains. 

He  was  now  a  rich  man. 

But  it  was  a  question  whether  he  would  ever  get  away  to 
enjoy  it,  as  the  coast  was  closely  watched,  and  he  had  no 
Joubt  the  police  were  on  the  lookout  for  him. 


2^0      JACK  HARK  AW  AY  AMOtfG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

CHAPTER  LXXVII. 

THE  STROLLING  MUSICIANS. 

WE  must  now  devote  our  attention  to  Bigamini  and  young 
Jack,  whom  we  left  trudging  along  the  road,  under  a  hot  and 
burning  sun. 

The  first  village  they  came  to  was  a  small  one. 

All  the  young  and  middle-aged  men  had  gone  to  work  in 
the  fields,  and  only  the  women  and  old  men  remained  with 
the  children. 

Tootle !    Tootle ! 

Bigamini  began  to  play  on  his  flute,  and  a  crowd  of  ragged 
urchins  came  round  them. 

The  little  fellow  began  to  sing  Verdi's  melody  "  Ah  !  che 
la  morte"  and  sang  it  plaintively  and  well  in  his  childish 
treble. 

In  a  whining  tone,  Bigamini  said — 

"  For  the  love  of  Heaven,  give  us  some  food ;  me  and  my 
boy  are  very  poor  and  hungry.  God  will  bless  you,  kind 
people,  for  your  charity  to  the  poor  singers." 

This  appeal  was  productive  of  a  very  plentiful  crop  of 
bread  and  fruit,  meat  being  scarce  among  the  peasants,  who 
had  not  enjoyed  a  particularly  good  harvest. 

While  they  were  eating  their  breakfast  under  a  tree,  not 
forgetting  to  feed  the  wolf,  an  incident  happened  which 
Bigamini  did  not  bargain  for — a  black  man  passed  by  them. 

He  was  apparently  bent  upon  the  same  errand  as  them- 
selves, for  he  was  nearly  naked  and  looked  like  a  beggar. 

Bigamini  no  sooner  cast  eyes  on  the  black  man  than  he 
hastily  crammed  his  bread  and  fruit  into  his  pocket  and 
prepared  to  move. 

"Come  along,  Master  Jack,"  he  said,  in  a  low  tone-,  "we 
must  not  waste  time ;  your  pa  and  ma  are  expecting  you." 

But  young  Jack's  eyes  were  as  sharp  as  his. 

"  I  shan't  go,"  he  cried.  "  That's  Monday,  my  papa's 
black  servant." 

"  Nonsense !  "  replied  Bigamini.  "  How  could  Monday 
get  here  ?  It's  a  bor^ey  ;  look  how  all  the  people  run  away 
from  him." 

"  Monday ! "  cried  the  cbilcl  "  Mon " 


JACK  HARK  A  WAY  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.      231 

His  further  utterance  was  checked  by  a  heavy  box  on  the 
ears,  which  Bigamini  kindly  and  paternally  bestowed  upon 
him. 

•"  Hold  your  row,"  he  said,  "or  I'll  murder  you." 

The  black,  however,  had  heard  the  cry  and  turned  round. 

It  was  Monday. 

He  saw  young  Jack,  and  with  a  yell  of  delight,  rushed  in 
his  direction. 

Monday  had  been  on  the  tramp  for  several  days,  and  hav- 
ing started  without  any  money,  he  had  found  it  difficult  to 
procure  food. 

He  was  half  starved. 

The  peasantry  did  not  like  the  look  of  him  ;  much  rather 
would  they  have  seen  a  brigand. 

Being  very  superstitious,  and  unaccustomed  to  the  sight 
of  black  people,  they  thought  he  was  an  evil  spirit  and  would 
bring  them  no  luck,  so  they  drove  him  away  very  often  with 
curses. 

He  had  determined  not  to  return  home  until  he  could  bring 
his  master  some  news  of  his  missing  child. 

Many  miles  had  he  wandered. 

At  last  good  fortune  brought  him  just  in  the  very  nick  of 
time  to  save  the  boy  from  the  clutches  of  Bigamini,  who 
would  have  taken  him  far  away,  so  that  he  would  not  have 
gladdened  his  parents'  eyes  for  many  a  long  month  to  come. 

Monday  made  a  bound  towards  the  tree,  and  cried — 

"  Ho  !  you  Bigamy  thief,  what  do  you  do  with  young  Mast' 
Jack  ? " 

He  caught  the  child  in  his  arms,  and  kissed  him  tenderly. 

"  Mast'  Jack,  Mast'  Jack  !  "  he  said.  "  This  one  gre?*. 
day.  Bless  um  little  heart,  um  found  him  at  last." 

Bigamini  had  torn  his  clothes  to  rags,  but  he  had  not 
thrown  away  his  pistol. 

While  the  black  was  occupied  with  the  child,  he  drew  it, 
and  levelling  it  in  a  hurry,  fired. 

Fortunately  the  wolf,  thinking  he  meant  some  harm  to  the 
child,  jumped  up  and  bit  his  arm. 

The  shot  flew  harmlessly  over  his  intended  victim's 
head. 

"  Cuss  the  luck  !  "  muttered  Bigamini. 

Dropping  the  child,  Monday  flew  at  the  wretched  spy,  and 
cniching  him  in  a  powerful  grasp,  threw  him  against  the 
irank  of  the  tree,  where  he  fell  stunned  and  bleeding. 


J  32       //4  CA"  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

Monday  took  the  child's  hand  and  retreated,  saying — 

"  Come  along,  Mast'  Jack." 

Bigamini  was  frantic  with  rage  and  despair. 

He  followed  at  a  distance,  hoping  that  some  accident 
would  again  throw  the  child  into  his  power,  and  as  he  went, 
he  bewailed  his  hard  luck. 

"  Who'd  have  thought  that  cussed  infernal  black  would 
have  come  up  like  a  Jack-in-the-box  to  crab  me  ? "  he  mut- 
tered, almost  crying  with  vexation. 

As  thev  walked  along,  the  child  told  Monday  the  history 
of  his  wanderings,  and  how  he  had  made  up  his  mind  never 
to  part  with  his  wolf. 

"  You  shall  keep  um  wolf,  sare,"  replied  Monday. 

"  Is  Bigamy  a  bad  man  ?  "  asked  young  Jack. 

"  Him  awful  bad,  sare  ;  so  bad,  him  like  um  debbil." 

"  Was  he  not  taking  me  to  see  my  papa  ? " 

"  No,  him  go  t'other  way,  sare  ;  me  come  up  just  in  time, 
Bigamy  is  a  brigand  ;  he  steal  you,  Mast'  Jack." 

His  wanderings  had  made  Monday  well  acquainted  with 
fhe  country,  and  he  knew  that  they  were  not  far  from  Pom- 
peii, from  whence  there  was  a  railway  to  Naples. 

"Um  got  any  money,  Mast  Jack?"  asked  Monday,  who 
recollected  that  he  could  not  travel  by  railway  without  pay- 
ing the  fare. 

"  I've  got  a  gold  piece  with  a  hole  in  it  tied  round  my 
neck,  which  mamma  gave  me,"  replied  Master  Jack. 

"Give  um  here." 

"You  can  have  it  if  you  like,  though  I  would  rather  net 
part  with  my  mamma's  present.'* 

"  Get  plenty  more,  sare,"  said  Monday,  as  he  unfastened 
the  coin,  and  going  into  the  station,  took  two  tickets  for 
Naples. 

In  a  short  time  they  arrived  in  the  city,  and  made  their 
way  to  the  house  in  the  Strada. 

Jack  was  still  in  bed,  his  wounds  being  very  stiff ;  and 
Emily  was  sitting  by  his  side,  holding  a  bunch  of  grapes  for 
her  husband  to  eat  the  luscious  berries. 

Suddenly  Monday  burst  into  the  room,  followed  by  young 
Jack  and  the  wolf,  who  would  not  leave  his  little  master  for 
a  moment. 

"  Here  him  come,  sare,"  cried  Monday,  rapturously  • 
"um  found  Mast'  Jack  and  brought  um  back  safe,  sare." 

The  next  moment  the  boy  was  clasped   in  his  mother*. 


JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.       233 

arms,  and  she  was  shedding  tears  of  joy  over  her  lost  one, 
now  so  opportunely  found. 

Jack  was  equally  delighted. 

"  My  darling  !  my  darling  !  "  cried  Emily,  covering  his 
face  with  kisses.  "  I  will  never  let  you  out  of  my  sight 
again.  Thank  God  for  this." 

Jack  held  out  his  hand  to  Monday. 

"  I  can  never  thank  you  enough,"  he  said. 

"That  all  right,  Mast'  Jack,"  said  Monday.  "Urn  say 
not  come  back  without  him.  Just  in  time,  though ;  that 
debbil  Bigamy  got  him." 

The  black  proceeded  to  tell  all  he  knew,  and  the  wolf,  as 
if  he  thought  he  ought  to  be  taken  some  notice  of,  jumped 
on  the  bed. 

"Oh!  the  horrid  creature,"  cried  Emily;  "kill  him,  he 
will  injure  my  child  ;  kill  the  wild  beast." 

"  No,  mamma,"  said  young  Jack;  "that's  my  pet.  You 
mustn't  kill  him." 

Young  Jack  patted  the  wolf  on  the  head,  and  the  animal 
licked  his  hand  affectionately. 

All  Emily's  fear  vanished  when  she  heard  how  kind  the 
creature  had  been  to  the  boy,  and  she  even  ventured  so  far 
as  to  pat  and  stroke  him  herself. 

All  was  rejoicing  and  happiness  in  the  house  now. 

Jack  was  soon  able  to  get  up. 

"  All  we  have  to  do  now,"  he  said  to  his  friends,  "  is  to 
bring  Barboni  to  the  scaffold,  and  then  we  can  quit  Naples 
with  the  full  consciousness  of  having  kept  our  vow  and  swept 
away  the  curse  of  brigandage  from  this  fair  country." 

Emily  sighed  when  she  heard  this. 

A  determination  to  hunt  to  the  foot  of  the  scaffold  the 
desperate  man  already  driven  to  bay,  meant  exposure  to  fresh 
perils,  and  she  knew  not  what  misery  in  the  future. 

"  Is  it  not  enough  that  you  have  crippled  his  power,  de- 
stroyed his  band,  and  that  he  is  blind  and  helpless  ? "  she 
said. 

"  No." 

"  What  more  do  you  want  ? " 

"  The  villain's  life." 

"  He  deserves  to  die  for  his  crimes,  and  no  doubt 
vengeance  will  overtake  him  in  time.  Can  not  you  leave 
Barboni's  punishment  to  Heaven  ?  "  she  asked. 

"  I  believe,  my  dear,"  said  Jack,  "that  I  am  the  chosen 


234     JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIG  AN  CS, 

instrument  in  the  hands  of  Heaven,  and  I  will  not  give  up 
until  he  dies  upon  the  scaffold." 

*•'•  Can  not  you  find  out  where  he  is  hiding  ?  " 

il  Up  to  the  present  time,  all  our  efforts  have  been  baffled 
but  we  hope  to  be  successful  soon." 

"  He  seems  quiet  enough,"  remarked  Emily. 

"  Yes,  but  the  fire  is  only  smouldering.  Such  men  as 
Hunston  and  Toro  can  not  keep  quiet  long.  They  will  do 
something  violent  soon,  and  then  we  shall  get  scent  of  the 
old  fox's  hiding-place,"  said  Jack. 

As  if  to  give  confirmation  to  his  words  the  little  coxswain 
entered. 

"  Great  news  !  "  he  said. 

"  What  ? " 

"  A  band  of  brigands,  led  by  two  men  who  answer  the 
description  of  Toro  and  Hunston,  has  stopped  the  mail  train 
and  robbed  the  passengers,  murdered  the  guard,  and  carried 
off  a  lot  of  gold  in  bags." 

"  By  Jove  ! "  said  Jack,  "  just  what  I  expected." 

"  They  threw  a  tree  across  the  line,  and  many  of  the  pas- 
sengers are  seriously  injured,"  cried  Walter. 

"  Where  did  this  happen  ? "  asked  Jack. 

"  Not  far  from  Portici." 

"  Ah,  that  is  a  direction  in  which  we  have  not  searched ; 
we  have  stuck  too  much  to  the  old  lines.  Kiss  me,  Emily. 
We  shall  soon  have  them  all  now ;  this  is  what  I  have  been 
waiting  for." 

Young  Jack  put  his  hand  on  his  father's  knee. 

"  You  going  to  fight  Barboni,  papa  ? "  he  said. 

"  Yes,  my  lad,"  replied  Jack,  patting  his  curly  head. 

"  You  take  me  and  my  wolf,  will  you  ? " 

"  Not  this  time,"  said  Jack,  with  a  smile. 

Young  Jack  looked  deeply  disappointed,  and  Emily  caught 
him  in  her  arms,  straining  him  to"  her  breast,  as  if  she  feared 
the  brigands  might  again  tear  him  from  her. 


JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.      235 


CHAPTER  LXXVIII. 

THE     ESCAPE     OF    HUNSTON. 

A  JAR  of  brandy  had  been  brought  out  of  a  corner  by 
Toro,  and  the  brigands  drank  deeply  after  their  success  in 
robbing  the  train. 

Hunston's  health  was  proposed  and  heartily  received. 

The  only  one  who  did  not  share  in  the  general  hilarity  was 
Barboni. 

He  sat  sulkily  aloof  at  the  extremity  of  the  cave,  and 
seemed  to  be  as  deaf  to  all  that  was  going  on  around  him  as 
he  was  blind. 

It  galled  him  to  think  that  he  could  not  participate  in  the 
expedition  of  Toro. 

Utterly  disregarding  him,  the  others  continued  their 
carouse. 

Hunston  became  elated  with  drink. 

Seizing  Toro's  hand,  he  exclaimed,  "  I  like  you,  Bill." 

"  And  I  like  you,  caro  mio,"  replied  the  herculean  brigand. 

"  Are  you  particularly  fond  of  this  place  ? " 

"  Not  over  much." 

"  You  are  not  wedded  to  it ;  you  haven't  planted  yourself 
to  grow  up  into  a  full-blown  gallows  bird  when  the  Bersaglieri 
catch  you,"  continued  Hunston. 

"  I  suppose  that  is  what  I  must  expect  to  be  some  day  or 
other,  but  it  is  not  kind  of  you,  signer,  to  remind  me  of  my 
probable  destiny,"  said  Toro. 

He  shrugged  his  shoulders  as  a  scarcely  perceptible 
shudder  crept  over  him. 

"  Would  you  like  to  leave  Naples  ? "  said  Hunston. 

"  If  you  get  away  safely  to-night,  what  are  your  plans  ? " 
asked  Toro,  evading  the  question. 

"  I've  altered  them,"  said  Hunston,  lowering  his  voice  so 
that  Barboni  could  not  hear  what  he  said. 

"  Well  ? " 

Toro  evinced  considerable  curiosity  to  hear  what  his  com- 
panion had  to  say. 

"  I  have  arranged  a  passage  in  a  brig  lying  off  the  point," 
said  Hunston.  "  She  is  laden  with  wine  and  oil ;  her  crew 
are  only  eleven  hands  all  told." 


2&      JACK  HARKA  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

"  Well  ? "  ejaculated  Tore  again. 

"  I  meant  to  have  taken  my  hook  in  her  to  England,  but  if 
you  and  your  men  will  come  with  me,  we'll  play  a  bigger 
game." 

"  Ha  !  "  said  Toro,  who  began  to  see. 

"  We  will  cut  the  throats  of  the  crew,  and  chuck  theii 
bodies  overboard." 

"  Good." 

"  Having  possession  of  the  vessel,  we  can  go  where  we 
like,  and  if  we  cook  up  fictitious  papers,  no  one  will  suspect 
us  if  we  get  a  few  thousand  miles  away." 

"  But,"  said  Toro,  "  I  am  no  sailor." 

"What  of  that?" 

"  Nor  my  men  either.  On  land  they  are  as  brave  as  lions, 
but  on  board  ship " 

"  Humbug,  I  tell  you,"  interrupted  Hunston,  with  a 
gesture  of  contempt.  "  I  am  an  old  salt,  and  I'll  work  the 
ship  if  you  and  your  fellows  will  do  what  I  tell  them." 

"  You  may  rely  upon  that,"  replied  Toro. 

"  Do  you  like  the  plan  ? " 

"  In  a  word,"  said  Toro,  "  you  propose  that  we  should  turn 
pirates." 

"  Not  exactly.  We  will  trade  when  it  suits  us,  and  we 
will  rob  when  it  is  more  convenient,"  continued  Hunston. 

Toro  then  engaged  in  earnest  conversation  with  his  men 
for  a  short  time,  and  his  arguments  did  not  fail  to  convince 
them  of  the  advantage  held  out  in  Hunston's  scheme. 

They  jumped  at  the  chance  of  having  a  ship  of  their  own 
and  sailing  on  the  bright  blue  sea. 

"  It's  all  right,"  replied  Toro,  returning.  "  I  knew  the 
fellows  would  follow  me  anywhere." 

"Are  they  all  agreed?  "  asked  Hunston. 

"All." 

"  Here's  jolly  good  luck  to  our  new  venture,"  said  Hunston 
emptying  his  glass. 

"  I  have  always  been  kind  to  my  men,"  exclaimed  Toro  -, 
"  they  love  me  as  a  father." 

"  Barboni  made  a  mistake  in  always  being  a  tyrant  and  a 
bully.  He  thought  no  more  of  shooting  a  man  than  he  did 
of  eating  his  dinner,"  said  Hunston. 

"  He  had  a  larger  band  than  mine,"  observed  Toro,  "and 
brigands  are  not  easy  to  manage." 

"  No  matter,  kindness  goes  a  long  way." 


JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.       237 

"What  about  Barboni  ?"  asked  Toro. 

"  Oh,  let  him  rip.     What's  the  good  of  the  old  owl  ?  " 

"  Won't  you  take  him  ?  " 

"  You'll  ask  me  to  tie  a  corpse  round  my  neck  next," 
answered  Hunston,  with  a  brutal  laugh. 

"  I  don't  quite  like  the  idea  of  Barboni  being  left  here  to 
starve,"  remarked  Toro. 

"  What  does  it  matter  to  us  ?  "  replied  Hunston. 

"  Well,  well,  I'll  be  hard." 

"  That's  your  sort,  my  sucking  Hercules.  I  can  see  I  shall 
make  something  of  you  by  and  bye,"  said  Hunston. 

The  brigands  received  their  orders  in  a  low  tone,  which  were 
to  go  down  to  the  beach  and  wait  for  the  appearance  of  the 
boatmen,  who  had  been  heavily  bribed  to  once  mere  under- 
take the  perilous  task  of  conveying  Hunston  to  the  brig  which 
\v;is  lying  outside  the  Possilippo  point. 

Hunston  accompanied  them. 

Toro  was  the  last  to  leave  the  cave,  and  he  had  lingered  for 
a  purpose  of  his  own. 

There  was  much  to  admire  about  the  character  of  the  *  end 
lion,"  as  he  called  Barboni. 

For  years  the  name  of  Barboni  had  been  a  name  of  terror 
throughout  the  whole  Italian  peninsula. 

When  Toro  was  comparatively  a  young  man,  his  blood  had 
been  fired  by  hearing  stories  of  the  daring  and  bravery  of 
Barboni. 

Had  he  never  heard  of  Barboni,  perhaps  he  might  never 
have  become  a  brigand. 

To  the  young  Italian,  the  "  old  lion  "  was  a  hero  of  romance. 

It  cut  him  to  the  heart  to  leave  him  penniless,  friendless, 
and  alone. 

The  chief,  once  so  mighty,  now  so  fallen,  was  sitting  dis- 
consolately at  the  end  of  the  cave. 

He  was  inwardly  chafing  at  his  lot. 

His  lips  moved  and  twitched,  his  fists  were  clenched,  and 
his  brows  bent  over  his  eyes. 

Toro  came  up  to  him,  and  touched  his  shoulder. 

"Old  lion,"  he  said,  in  his  rough,  cheery  voice. 

"  Ah  !  Toro,"  said  Barboni,  "  is  it  you  ?  I  have  one  friend 
left  in  you  ;  all  the  others  have  deserted  me." 

"  Good  old  lion,"  replied  Toro,  "  take  this  ;  it  is " 

"  Money,"  cried  Barboni,  hastily.     "  What  is  this  for  ?  " 


238      JACK  HARKA  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

"  You  will  want  it.  I'm  going  away  for — for  some  days, 
and  you'll  have  to  shift  for  yourself." 

"  Going  away — going  to  leave  me,"  said  Barboni  terrified. 
"This  is  Hunston's  doing.  Corpo  di  Baccho!  I  warmed  a 
serpent  when  I  took  him  in.  But  why  should  you  go  ?  What 
have  I  done  ?  " 

"  Nothing." 

"  No  offence  ?  "  asked  Barboni. 

"  None,  old  lion.  Duty  calls  us.  You  will  find  stores  in 
the  cave  enough  for  a  month.  In  this  locker  you  will  find 
ship's  biscuits ;  in  this  other,  wine  and  spirits ;  and  in  this, 
salt  beef.  The  money  is  for  you  when  all  is  gone." 

"You  have  told  me  a  lie,"  said  Barboni,  sadly  ;  "you  said 
you  were  going  for  a  few  days,  on  some  duty.  You  tell  me  I 
have  provisions  for  a  month,  and  then  add  that  the  money  is 
for  my  use  when  the  provisions  are  gone." 

"  Cospetto,  old  lion  ! "  stammered  Toro,  "  you're  rather 
sharp  upon  a  fellow." 

"  No  matter,"  replied  Barboni.  "  I  know  that  I  am  left  to 
my  fate  in  my  hour  of  need.  No  longer  pipe,  no  longer  dance. 
That  is  the  way  of  the  world.  Go,  good  Toro.  I  thank  thee 
from  the  bottom  of  my  heart." 

"  You  see,  old  lion,"  said  Toro,  "  if  you  weren't  blind " 

"  Hush,  hush  !  "  interrupted  Barboni,  solemnly.  "  Never 
remind  a  man  of  the  afflictions  sent  him  by  Heaven.  Per- 
haps my  blindness  is  a  punishment  for  what  men  call  my 
crimes.  No  matter.  I  am  not  yet  conquered,  and  I  tell  you, 
good  Toro,  that  my  heart  is  big  enough  to  bear  this  blow." 

"  Bravo,  old  lion  ;  give  us  your  paw,"  said  Toro. 

"  I  will  shake  hands  with  you,  for  you  are  good  to  me," 
said  Barboni,  jingling  the  gold  in  his  left  palm. 

There  was  a  pause. 

"  Adio  !  "  continued  Barboni,  in  a  low  tone. 

"  Good-bye,  old  lion ;  good  luck  to  you.  Keep  up  your 
spirits,"  said  Toro. 

The  next  minute  he  was  hurrying  over  the  rocks,  in  the 
direction  taken  by  the  others. 

Punctual  to  the  appointment,  the  two  boatmen  were  on  the 
spot,  nor  were  they  surprised  to  see  the  friends  that  Hunston 
had  brought  with  him. 

The  chase  of  the  preceding  night  had  frightened  them  not 
a  little,  and  the  more  there  were  to  fight  the  police  in  the  event 
of  a  fresh  pursuit,  the  better  for  them. 


JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.       239 

A  vigilant  lookout  was  kept,  but  nothing  was  seen  of 
the  police  galley. 

An  hour's  pull  brought  the  boat  to  the  corner  of  the  point, 
and  the  silver  moon  enabled  the  rowers  to  see  the  brig  lying 
at  anchor  within  the  distance  of  a  mile. 

"  Pull  away,  lads.  That's  our  ship,"  said  Hunston,  stand- 
ing up  and  handling  the  tiller  with  a  practised  hand. 

"  Viva  Hunstoni  e  Toro  !  Viva !  viva  !  "  cried  the  brigands 
in  chorus. 

The  two  boatmen  looked  curiously  and  suspiciously  around. 

They  knew  that  they  were  helping  a  brigand  to  escape,  and 
guessed  that  his  companions  were  of  the  same  cut-throat  trade. 

It  was  evident  also  that  some  villainy  was  in  contemplation, 
but  as  they  were  well  paid  for  what  they  were  doing,  it  mattered 
little  to  them  what  happened. 

Their  orders  were  concise. 

"  Pull  alongside,"  said  Hunston,  "  and  when  you  see  the 
last  of  me  in  the  chains,  drop  astern." 

"  Aye,  aye,  signer,"  replied  the  head  boatman. 

Each  man  had  received  his  instructions  before  starting. 

It  was  determined  that  an  attack  should  be  made  in  the 
night,  as  the  crew  would  be  off  their  guard. 

The  ship  did  not  sail  before  morning,  and  it  was  probable 
that  the  captain  was  enjoying  his  last  hours  ashore  in  some 
trattoria  with  his  officers  and  a  boat's  crew. 

This  surmise  of  Hunston's  turned  out  correct. 

The  ship  was  neared. 

A  man  on  the  lookout  said,  in  a  drowsy  voice,  "  Boat  ahoy  1 " 

"  Ahoy  there  !  "  replied  Hunston. 

"  What  are  you  ?  " 

"  We  bring  you  a  passenger  who  hasn't  forgotten  the  grog, 
and  you'll  be  able  to  splice  the  mainbrace  before  the  captain 
comes  aboard." 

"  You're  welcome,  shipmate,"  replied  the  lookout ;  "steer 
by  her  headlight.  So,  larboard  side,  ship  your  oars.  So. 
Gently  does  it." 

The  brigands  held  their  knives  in  their  mouths,  and  headed 
by  Hunston  and  Toro,  sprang  up  the  chains  like  monkeys. 

The  watch  crowded  round  to  welcome  the  passenger  who 
had  been  so  considerate  as  to  bring  his  grog  with  him. 

What  was  their  consternation  when  they  were  fiercely  at- 
tacked and  cut  down  without  the  slightest  warning  or  provo- 
cation. 


240      JACK  HARKA  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

One  after  another  fell  mortally  wounded. 

Not  a  word  was  spoken  by  the  brigands,  who  went  at  theii 
bloodthirsty  work  with  the  coolness  of  practised  butchers. 

The  deck  became  slippery  with  blood. 

Hearing  the  heavy  falls,  the  mate  and  the  remainder  of  the 
crew  rushed  up  the  mainhatch  only  to  meet  with  the  awfully 
sudden  fate  of  their  ill-starred  companions. 

They  were  hacked  to  pieces,  and  being  unarmed,  were  un- 
able to  strike  a  blow  in  their  own  defence. 

When  the  butchery  was  over,  Hunston  ordered  the  bodies 
to  be  cast  overboard. 

An  examination  of  the  ship  was  then  made. 

Only  a  cabin-boy  was  found  asleep  in  the  forecastle,  and 
his  life  was  spared,  because  he  was  too  young  to  be  mis- 
chievous, and  it  was  thought  he  might  be  useful. 

In  fact  they  derived  some  valuable  information  from  him. 

The  captain  and  five  others  were  ashore,  but  were  expected 
at  the  ebb  of  the  tide,  which  would  take  place  about  four  in 
the  morning. 

It  was  then  eleven. 

A  strong  breeze  had  sprung  up  from  the  land,  and  Hunston 
ordered  the  sails  to  be  set  immediately. 

There  were  two  Italians  and  some  foreign  men-of-war  in  the 
bay,  and  it  would  have  been  dangerous  to  remain  and  court 
notice  from  them. 

The  brig  could  make  good  sailing,  but  she  would  have 
succumbed  easily  in  a  few  hours  to  a  powerful  steamer. 

^The  anchor  was  weighed,  the  sails  set,  and  the  ship 
glided  unperceived  from  the  spot  wnere  she  had  been  lying. 

Hunston  took  command  of  the  vessel. 

As  for  Toro,  he  was  a  complete  child  upon  the  ocean, 
though  he  could  do  a  great  deal  on  land. 

It  must  be  admitted  that  he  was  willing  to  aid  Hunston, 
and  that  he  did  not  feel  at  all  jealous  at  being  second  in 
command. 

Before  daybreak  the  ship  was  far  from  the  Italian  coast 


!A CK  HA RKA  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.       241 
CHAPTER  LXXIX. 

MR.     M  O  L  E'S     DISCOVERY. 

ON  the  morning  following  the  shocking  crime  we  have 
just  narrated,  a  very  happy  party  was  assembled  round  the 
breakfast  table  of  the  house  in  the  Strada  Di  Toledo. 

Every  thing  had  gone  well  lately  with  the  English. 

The  roses  had  returned  to  Emily's  cheeks  since  the 
dispersal  of  the  brigands  and  the  restoration  of  her  darling 
child. 

She  was  quite  well  and  strong  again. 

It  had  come  about  that  Lily  Cockles  was  so  pleased  with 
the  little  coxswain  for  avenging  her  brother's  death  by  killing 
Gus  Barrel  that  she  listened  favourably  to  his  suit. 

They  were  engaged  to  be  married. 

Mr.  Mole  was  quite  well  again,  and  his  illness  acted  as  a 
warning  to  him  not  to  drink  too  much,  and  he  very  rarely 
plunged  into  excess,  and  then  only  when  he  spent  an 
evening  with  Monday  in  his  pantry,  talking  about  old  times. 

Monday  came  in  while  the  party  were  at  breakfast. 

Every  body  looked  up  eagerly. 

"  What's  that  ?  "  asked  Jack. 

"  Me  go  out  this  morning,  sare,  to  buy  some  of  um  fish 
for  breakfast,  and  they  all  talk  about  brigands  taking  um 
ship." 

"  Capturing  a  ship  !      Where  ?  " 

"  In  um  bay,  sare.  They  kill  all  um  could,  'cept  captain, 
and  two  three  others  who  on  shore,  and  then  they  bolt  with 
um  ship.  So  um  say." 

"  By  Jove!  that  must  be  Hunston,"  said  Harvey. 

"Shouldn't  wonder,"  repJ'ed  Jack;  "the  news,  though, 
requires  confirmation.'' 

"  I  wonder,"  said  the  little  coxswain,  "  if  they  have  taken 
Barboni  with  them." 

"Trust  Hunston  for  not  "being  a  fool,"  answered  Jack. 
"  He  wouldn'tbe  bothered  with  a  blind  man  who  could  never 
do  him  any  good." 

"  Hunston  was  always  a  hard-hearted  and  perverse  child 
of  sin."  remarked  Mr.  Mole. 
16 


242      JACK  HARKA  WA  Y  AMONG   THE  BRIGANDS. 

"  Well,  gentlemen,"  said  Jack,  "  I  must  go  out  and  heat 
the  news ;  who'll  come  with  me  ?  Don't  all  speak  at  once." 

"I  will," replied  Harvey  and  Sam,  in  a  breath. 

"I  have  promised  to  go  with  Mr.  Mole,"  said  Walter; 
"  we  have  a  little  geological  expedition  on  hand." 

"  What's  that  ? "  asked  Jack. 

"  Geology,"  replied  Mr.  Mole,  "  as  you  ought  to  know, 
Harkaway,  is  the  science  or  '  logic  '  of  the  earth,  from  the 
Greek  word " 

"  In  fact,"  interrupted  Jack,  "  you  mean  you're  going  to 
break  stones  with  a  hammer,  and  see  what's  inside  them." 

"That's it,"  replied  Walter,  laughing. 

The  party  broke  up. 

Emily  took  Jack  on  one  side. 

'  Have  you  written  a  reply  to  the  colonel  ?  "  she  asked. 

'  No,  dear,"  he  replied. 

'What  shall  you  say  ?" 

'  I  intend  to  throw  up  my  commission,"  he  answered. 

'  Oh  !  "  said  Emily,  "  I  am  so  sorry.  Is  it  not  a  pity  you 
let  this  wretched  brigand  interfere  with  your  professional 
prospects  ? " 

"  I  can't  help  it,  Emmy  dear,"  said  Jack.  "  I  must  keep 
my  oath,  and  I  don't  leave  Naples  till  I  see  the  end  of  that 
villain  Barboni." 

"  But 

"  That's  flat.     It's  no  use  talking." 

Emily  knew  Jack's  determined  character  too  well  to  argue 
the  point  with  him,  and  she  walked  away  with  a  sigh. 

Mr.  Mole  and  Walter  supplied  themselves  with  a  couple 
of  hammers  and  a  basket  in  which  to  place  specimens  of 
valuable  fossils  they  might  be  fortunate  enough  to  find,  and 
started  for  a  walk  along  the  shore. 

After  walking  a  few  miles  several  specimens  of  remarkable 
fossils  were  collected,  and  the  rocks  becoming  rather  difficult 
to  travel  over,  the  little  coxswain  proposed  a  halt. 

Selecting  a  shady  spot,  he  lighted  his  pipe,  and  producing 
a  flask,  the  geologists  refreshed  themselves. 

"  I've  had  enough  of  it !  "  exclaimed  Walter,  "  and  shall 
stay  here  until  you  are  done." 

"  Very  well,"  replied  Mr.  Mole.  "  I'll  just  explore  the  rocks 
about  here,  and  then  we  will  return." 

"  Look  out  for  brigands,"  said  Walter.  "  It  was  some- 
where near  this  spot  that  the  police  galley  was  attacked." 


JACK  HARKA  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.       243 

"  I  never  felt  fear  in  my  life,"  said  Mole,  grandly,  "  and  I 
am  not  going  to  begin  now." 

He  climbed  over  the  rocks,  holding  an  umbrella  to  protect 
his  head  from  the  burning  sun,  until  he  came  to  an  opening 
in  the  rock. 

It  was  the  mouth  of  a  cave. 

The  opportunity  seemed  favourable  for  exploring,  and 
satisfying  himself  that  the  water  was  low,  and  would  not 
come  up  high  enough  for  some  hours  to  cut  off  his  retreat, 
he  boldly  entered. 

A  good  light  poured  into  the  cave,  which  enabled  Mr.  Mole 
to  see  that  there  was  a  man  seated  on  a  block  of  stone  at  the 
extremity. 

"  Who  goes  there  ?  Is  it  you,  good  Toro  ? "  said  the 
man,  whose  quick  ears  detected  the  sound  of  an  intrusion. 

"  I  am  not  Toro,"  replied  Mole. 

"  Who  are  you,  then — friend  or  foe  ? '' 

"  That  depends  upon  who  you  are,"  said  Mole.  "  Don't 
attempt  any  nonsense,  I've  got  a  pistol." 

"  I  am  unarmed,"  was  the  reply,  with  an  impatient  sigh, 
"  and  were  my  belt  bristling  with  weapons,  I  could  do  you 
little  harm,  because  I  am  blind  " 

"  Blind  !  "  repeated  Mole,  starting. 

He  had  heard  that  the  famous  brigand  had  lost  his  sight 
and  was  a  companion  of  Toro. 

Could  his  good  fortune  have  guided  his  footsteps  in  the 
direction  of  the  brigand  chief  ? 

If  so,  he  would  have  accomplished  what  neither  Harka- 
way  nor  all  the  police  in  Naples  had  succeeded  in. 

"  Are  you  Barboni  ? "  asked  Mole, 

"  I  am  that  unfortunate  being,"  was  the  calm  repfy. 

The  brigand  drew  himself  up  with  dignity,  folded  his  arms, 
and  turned  his  sightless  orbs  in  the  direction  of  the  intruder's 
voice. 

"  Hang  me  if  I  didn't  think  so,"  said  Mole.  "  Won't 
Walter  be  wild  when  he  finds  he  is  out  of  this  ?  Bravo,  Mole, 
this  is  a  feather  in  your  cap,  sir." 

"  Do  w'Jh  me  what  you  like,"  said  Barboni. 

"  It  requires  consideration,"  replied  Mole.  "  Are  you 
alone  ? " 

"Quite." 

"  You  are  sure  that  none  of  your  cut-throat  associates  are 


244      JACK  HARKA  WA  Y  *MONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

likely   to   come   back  ? "   asked    Mole,  exhibiting   a   slight 
nervousness. 

"  There  is  no  chance  of  that.     They  have  all  left  me." 

"  All  ? " 

"  Every  one,"  said  Barboni. 

"  Can  you  give  me  any  information  respecting  a  party  01 
the  name  of  Hunston,  with  whom  I  was  formerly  acquainted  ?  " 

"  He  has  gone  with  Toro,  after  insulting  and  robbing  me." 

"Ah,  he  was  always  a  bad  lot,"  said  Mr.  Mole. 

"  You  speak  Italian  with  a  foreign  accent,"  said  Barboni, 
:<  Are  you  English  ?  " 

"I  am." 

"  Then,  sir,"  said  Barboni,"  I  suppose  my  hour  has  come. 
I  may  as  well  die  at  once  as  linger  on  in  misery,  to  perish  of 
neglect  and  starvation,  aggravated  by  a  broken  heart." 

"  I  feel  sorry  for  you,"  said  Mole. 

"  Does  that  sentiment  come  from  your  heart  ? "  asked 
Barboni,  eagerly. 

"  Certainly  it  does.  I  once  saw  a  wounded  lion,  and  at 
another  time  an  eagle  with  a  broken  wing.  Those  creatures 
were  types  of  fallen  grandeur  in  their  way ,  and  I  felt  sorry  for 
them." 

"  I  should  like  you  to  do  me  a  favour.  It  will  be  the  last 
1  shall  ever  ask  of  mortal  man,"  said  Barboni. 

"  Name  it." 

"  Let  me  explain  first  why  I  make  the  request." 

"  Certainly,"  replied  Mole. 

"  I  should  like  to  avoid  a. public  execution,  following  upon 
a  tiresome  trial,  and  it  would  give  me  pleasure  to  baulk  Mr. 
Harkaway  of  his  triumph." 

"  Yes,  yes  ;  that  is  only  natural." 

"  Will  you,  sir,  take  out  your  pistol,  place  the  muzzle  to 
my  head  as  I  sit  here,  and  finish  me  out  of  hand  ? " 
'"  No,"  replied  Mole,  decisively,  "  I  will  not." 

The  expression  of  hope  which  had  lighted  up  the  brigand's 
face  died  out,  leaving  his  features  a  blank  again. 

"  You  refuse  ? " 

"Decidedly  I  do,  and  for  this  reason.  I  never,  in  the 
Course  of  all  my  wanderings,  took  a  life  in  cold  blood." 

**  But  I  ask  you  to  take  mine,"  urged  Barboni. 

"That  makes  very  little  difference,  and  scarcely  removes 
the  affair  from  the  crime  of  deliberate  murder,"  said  Mole. 

**  Say  no  more  ;  I  am  your  prisoner.     Load  me  with  chains 


JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.       24., 

and  drag  roe  in  triumph  into  Naples.  It  will  be  a  glorious 
deed  to  have  captured  the  poor,  blind  brigand." 

The  s?,r.-casm  was  not  lost  upon  Mole. 

"  Vou  judge  me  wrongly  again,"  he  said. 

"  How  ? " 

"  By  supposing  that  I  should  be  guilty  or  such  meanness." 

"  Speak  plainly,  man,"  cried  Barboni,  impatiently,  "  and  do 
not  torture  me  with  suspense.  What  are  you  going  to  do 
with  me  ? " 

"  I  shall  leave  you  as  I  found  you." 

"  But  you  will  send  the  police  here." 

"  Not  at  all.  I  pity  you  as  a  fallen  foe,  and  I  respect  you 
as  a  brave  man,  though  you  have  outraged  humanity,"  said 
Mole. 

"  Sir,"  replied  Barboni,  "  I  thank  you ;  your  generosity  is 
that  of  a  true-bred  gentleman." 

"  I  am  not  a  preacher,"  continued  Mole.  "  But  there  is 
such  a  thing  as  repentance." 

"  I  never  repented  one  act  of  my  life,"  replied  Barboni, 
fiercely. 

"  Consider,"  said  Mole,  "that  forgiveness  of  sin  is " 

"  Rubbish  !  Santo  Dio !  am  I  a  woman  to  listen  to  such 
tales  ?  Go,  sir,  leave  me  to  my  misery  and  my  solitude.  I 
would  be  alone." 

".I  wish  you  a  happy  issue  out  of  all  your  afflictions,''  said 
Mole,  kindly. 

He  was  about  to  retire  when  the  brigand  spoke. 

"  Your  name,  sir  ?  "  he  said. 

"  My  name  is  Mole." 

"  Thank  you.  It  shall  be  the  last  on  my  lips,  and  I  shall 
remember  it  as  that  of  a  generous  and  true  gentleman.  Adio, 
amico  mio" 

Mr.  Mole  now  left  the  cave,  very  much  excited  at  the 
strange  scene  which  had  just  taken  place. 

It  had  CQ<=>  Mm  a  struggle  to  forego  the  capture  of  the 
brigand  chief. 

But  the  higher  qualities  of  his  nature  had  asserted  them- 
selves, and  he  thought  he  should  have  been  a  coward  to  be- 
tray the  poor,  broken-down,  blind  creature  into  the  hands  of 
his  enemies. 

When  he  reached  the  little  coxswain,  the  latter  saw  that 
something  unusual  had  happened. 

"  Where  have  you  been  ?  "  he  asked. 


*46     JACK  HARKA  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

"  Up  the  rocks,"  replied  Mole. 

"  I  lost  sight  of  you." 

"  Very  likely." 

"I  say,  you've  had  a  bad  scare  ;  what  have  you  seen?" 
said  Walter. 

"  Don't  ask  me  any  questions,"  replied  Mr.  Mole. 

"  Now  look  here,  what  is  it  ? " 

There  was  no  answer. 

"  Brigands  ?  " 

Still  Mr.  Mole  was  silent. 

If  he  answered  he  would  betray  Barboni,  and  he  intended 
to  keep  the  secret. 

"  If  you  won't  speak,  you'd  better  go  home,"  said  Walter. 

"  That's  what  I  mean  to  do,"  replied  Mole ;  "  you  will 
come  with  me,  of  course." 

"  No." 

"  You  won't  ? " 

"  Not  just  yet.     I  want  to  finish  my  pipe." 

"  All  right,  I  will  leave  you,"  said  Mole ;  glad  of  a  chance 
of  getting  away  without  being  subjected  to  further  questioning. 

He  did  not  think  it  likely  that  Walter  Campbell  woulc? 
explore  the  rocks,  or,  if  he  did,  that  he  would  find  the  cave. 

But  this  was  just  what  the  young  gentleman  intended  to  do. 

Walter  for  a  little  time  lazily  watched  the  smoke  curl  up 
from  the  bowl  of  his  pipe,  and  listened  to  the  noise  made  by 
the  incoming  tide,  as  the  waves  beat  restlessly  on  the  shore. 

But  when  Mole  was  out  of  sight,  he  got  up  and  stretched 
himself. 

Two  men  in  a  boat  were  rowing  along  towards  Naples. 

They  were  boatmen  on  the  lookout  for  a  fare. 

Seeing  Walter  extend  his  arms,  they  thought  he  was  sig- 
nalling them  to  stop. 

"  Want  a  boat,  signer  ?  "  said  one.  "  Take  you  back  to 
Naples  for  three  ducats." 

"  Done,  with  you,"  said  Walter,  glad  of  the  chance.  "  But 
first  of  all  beach  your  boat  and  come  here." 

The  two  men  did  as  he  directed  them,  and  advanced,  re- 
spectfully saluting  him  by  touching  their  caps. 

"  Follow  me  up  these  rocks,"  he  said. 

The  men  hesitated. 

"  What  ire  you  afraid  of  ? "  he  asked. 

"  They  Say  there  are  brigands  up  there,  signer." 

"  Where!  ?  " 


JACK  HARKAWAY  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.       247 

"  In  a  cave." 

"  As  I  suspected,"  replied  Walter.  "  Well,  stay  where  you 
are  till  I  come  back." 

He  looked  at  his  pistol,  saw  it  was  capped  and  ready  for 
firing. 

Then  he  climbed  over  the  rocks  in  the  direction  he  had 
•»een  Mr.  Mole  take. 

After  a  time  he  came  to  the  entrance  to  the  cave  and 
-jeered  in. 

He  saw  a  man  whom  he  instantly  recognised  as  Barboni. 

The  brigand  was  groping  about  the  cave  as  if  he  wished 
to  find  something. 

At  last  he  uttered  a  cry  of  joy. 

His  hand  had  come  in  contact  with  a  pistol,  and  he  clutched 
it  eagerly,  feeling  the  nipple  to  see  if  there  was  a  cap  on  it. 

"  At  last !  at  last !  "  he  said.  "  I  can  now  do  what  the 
generous  Englishman  refused.  Barboni  shall  die  by  his  own 
hand." 

The  little  coxswain  understood  the  situation  in  a  moment. 

Barboni  was  going  to  commit  suicide. 

He  was  just  in  time. 

Had  he  been  a  few  minutes  later,  he  would  have  found 
nothing  but  the  gory  corpse  of  the  great  brigand  chief,  and 
a  smoking  pistol  by  his  side. 

Raising  himself  on  a  level  with  the  ledge,  he  crept  along 
as  noiselessly  as  a  cat  after  a  bird. 

Barboni  presented  the  pistol  to  his  head. 

The  next  moment  Walter  was  upon  him  with  a  bound. 

A  vigorous  blow  sent  the  pistol  flying  to  the  further  end 
of  the  cave  before  he  could  draw  the  trigger. 

"  No  you  don't,"  he  said. 

Barboni  was  baffled. 

"  Ha  !  "  he  cried  ;  "  who  is  this  ?  May  a  curse  light  on 
you  for  this." 

"  I  am  the  little  coxswain,  my  tulip,"  was  the  reply  ;  "  and 
you've  got  to  come  with  me  to  Naples;  I've  got  a  boat  wait- 
ing, and  we  shall  do  it  in  style." 

Barboni  groaned. 

"  Never,  never  !  "  he  said,  furiously.  "  I  will  die  first ! 
Stand  on  one  side  ;  let  me  throw  myself  ov  2r  the  rocks." 

Walter  did  not  hesitate  a  moment. 

He  threw  himself  on  the  blind  man  and  tried  to  hurl  him 
to  the  earth. 


•»  $      JACK  HARKA  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

A  fearful  struggle  ensued. 

Locked  in  one  another's  arms,  they  rocked  to  and  fro  like 
'  oplars  in  a  storm. 

At  length  Barboni's  foot  slipped  and  he  fell  heavily  on  the 
>ack  of  his  head. 

For  a  time  he  was  stunned. 

Rushing  to  the  mouth  of  the  cave,  Walter  beckoned  to  the 
boatmen. 

"  Come  here,"  he  said.  "  I  have  captured  Barboni ;  done 
it  all  myself ;  there's  no  danger.  Come  at  once  ;  you  shall 
be  well  rewarded." 

The  men  talked  together  for  a  moment,  and  then  they 
decided  to  go. 

Reaching  the  cave,  they  helped  to  bind  the  brigand's  arms, 
and  with  considerable  exertion  they  carried  him  to  the  boat. 

He  was  placed  in  the  stern  sheets. 

Walter  took  the  tiller,  and  the  men  rowed  with  a  will  to 
Naples. 

Barboni  was  in  a  state  of  semi-consciousness,  and  neither 
moved  nor  uttered  a  sound. 


CHAPTER  LXXX. 

THE  SPY'S   FATE. 

WHILE  this  important  capture  was  being  made  by  the 
little  coxswain,  an  event  of  great  interest  was  taking  place 
on  the  other  side  of  the  city. 

Jack,  Harvey  and  Clear-the-Track  Sam  had  wandered  In- 
to the  country,  after  gleaning  all  the  news  they  could  re- 
specting the  seizure  of  the  brig  and  the  massacre  of  the 
crew. 

It  was  the  general  opinion  that  Hunston  and  Toro  had  got 
off  in  the  vessel. 

Two  ships  of  war  were  dispatched  in  pursuit,  though  the 
chance  of  Hunston's  capture  was  slight,  as  it  was  impossible 
to  say  what  direction  he  had  sailed  in. 

Jack  and  his  friends  had  lately  made  it  their  custom  to 
perambulate  the  country,  and  question  the  peasantry,  ir. 
the  hope  of  obtaining  some  information  which  would  lead  to 
the  discq^^ry  of  Barboni, 


JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.       249 

They  were  all  anxious  to  get  home. 

The  chase  was  becoming  tiresome  and  monotonous  now; 
iveryone  wished  to  end  it. 

That  the  old  fox  was  hiding  somewhere  they  had  no 
doubt. 

But  in  what  locality  no  one  could  say. 

The  road  they  selected  on  this  occasion  was  by  the  shore. 

Suddenly  Harvey  said — 

"I  see  someone  coming  towards  us." 

"  Where  ? "  asked  Jack. 

"  Right  ahead.  He's  dodging  behind  those  rocks ;  look 
out.  There  he  is  again." 

But  though  Jack  looked,  he  could  not  see  anyone. 

"  He's  up  to  no  good  if  he's  dodging  us,  that's  certain,"  he 
said. 

"  It  looked  to  me  like  Bigamini,"  cried  Harvey. 

"Nonsense." 

"  It  did.     The  fellow  had  just  his  cut  and  slinking  walk." 

"I  should  jolly  well  like  to  put  my  finger  upon  that  gentle- 
man," said  Jack. 

"  So  should  I,  the  scoundrel.  He's  worse  than  Barboni 
by  a  long  chalk,"  replied  Harvey. 

"  Look,  look ! "  said  Clear-the-Track,  "  he's  bolted.  See 
him  scudding  along ;  I  guess  he's  powerful  frit." 

"  Unsling  your  rifle,"  said  Jack. 

Sam  did  so. 

He  was  the  only  one  who  had  brought  a  rifle  with  him. 

"  Shall  I  drop  him  ? "  he  asked. 

"If  you  can." 

"  Guess  I'd  drop  a  fly  at  three  hundred  yards — steady  does 
it." 

Sam  dropped  on  one  knee,  and  took  a  steady  aim. 

"  Don't  kill  him,"  said  Jack.     "  Put  a  ball  in  his  leg." 

"  Right." 

The  little  man,  whoever  he  was,  had  smelt  danger  in  the 
air,  and  was  running  along  the  sand  at  his  best  pace. 

The  American  fired. 

There  was  a  sharp  cry,  and  the  runaway  fell  flat  on  his 
face,  uttering  such  horrid  yells,  that  it  was  easy  to  tell  he 
was  not  killed. 

The  three  friends  ran  up  quickly. 

It  was  as  Harvey  had  conjectured. 

The   shrieking  wretch,    writhing  with  pain   before   them, 


250      JACf  HARKAiVAV  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

was  Bigamini,  the  spy  of  the  brigands,  the  traitor  who  had 
betrayed  them  on  every  occasion. 

His  hand  was  red  with  a  dozen  murders,  and  his  worthless 
life  forfeited  over  and  over  again  to  the  law. 

He  had  been  crawling  along  the  sea-shore,  hoping  to  find 
a  boat  which  would  take  him  to  some  ship  in  the  bay. 

But  Nemesis  had  dogged  his  heels  closely. 

He  had  fallen  into  the  hands  of  his  enemies  when  he 
least  expected  it. 

"  What  did  you  want  to  go  and  shoot  at  me  as  if  I  was  a. 
sand-martin  or  a  rabbit  ? "  he  moaned. 

"  Are  you.  hurt  ?  "  asked  Jack. 

"Oh,  Loid,  ain't  I?  Wish  you'd  got  it,  begging  your 
pardon,  Mr.  Harkaway,  sir,"  rejoined  the  spy. 

"  Where  ? " 

"  The  ball's  lodged  in  my — my  end,  sir." 

"  He  means  his  seat  of  honour,"  said  Sam,  with  a  laugh  ; 
"  I  aimed  too  high." 

Bigamini  was  shot  in  the  fleshy  part  of  his  back. 

He  rolled  over  and  over,  scratching  at  the  sand  and  moan- 
ing dismally. 

"  What's  to  be  done  with  him  ? "  asked  Jack. 

"  Oh,  spare  me,  sir,  spare  me,  Mr.  Harkaway,"  cried  Big- 
amini. "I'm  only  a  wretched  Bigamini,  sir.  Once  I  was  a 

happy " 

"  Silence  !  "  thundered  Jack. 

"  Let's  try  him  by  court-martial,"  said  Clear-the-Track. 

"  Very  good  idea.     I'll  be  judge,"  said  Jack. 

"  I  prosecute,  and  Harvey  shall  defend  the  prisoner,"  said 
Sam. 

"  Let  him  lie  there,"  continued  Jack.  "  I'll  sit  on  this  rock. 
Now,  Clear-the-Track,  you  start." 

Sam  laughed  and  drew  himself  up,  while  Bigamini,  who  did 
not  know  whether  this  was  a  joke  or  not,  stopped  his  howling. 

His  cunning  grey  eyes  watched  first  one  and  then  the 
other  with  the  most  intense  interest. 

"  May  it  please  this  honourable  court,"  began  Sam,  "  I 
appear  for  the  prosecution  of  the  prisoner  at  the  bar.  His 
name  is  Bigamini,  and  he  is  the  biggest  villain  unhung,  I 
guess." 

"  Order,"  said  Jack. 

"  By  the  court's  pardon  I  will  say  that  the  prisoner  was 
the  spy  of  Barboni  the  brigand." 


IACK  HARKA WAY  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.       251 

"  He  made  me  do  it,  gentlemen,"  whined  Bigamini. 

"  Silence  !  "  roared  jack. 

"  He  betrayed  us  to  Barboni  and  is  responsible  for  Tom 
Garden's  death." 

"  I  never  touched  him  sir,"  said  Bigamini. 

"  Si — lence  !     Kick  him,  Dick,  if  he  won't  be  quiet." 

"  Oh,  my  latter  end  !  "  groaned  Bigamini ;  "  if  you  had  a 
bullet  in  your  end,  you'd  squeak  a  bit,  gentlemen." 

"  The  prisoner  at  the  bar,"  continued  Sam,  "  murdered  his 
wife.  He  also  stole  young  Jack,  and  I  think  he  deserves  to 
die." 

"  Oh,  spare,  me,  gents,  spare  me,"  cried  Bigamini. 

"  Do  you  plead  guilty  ?  "  asked  Jack. 

"  Yes,  sir,  I'm  guilty,  but " 

"That's  enough.  I  don't  think  I  need  call  on  the  learned 
counsel  for  the  defence  after  this  admission." 

"  I  bow  to  the  decision  of  the  court,"  said  Harvey. 

"  It  only  remains  for  me  to  pass  sentence,"  continued  Jack. 

There  was  a  dead  silence. 

Bigamini  trembled  all  over. 

He  saw  that  this  was  not  a  ghastly  joke,  but  a  terrible 
reality. 

Soon  it  would  end  in  an  awful  tragedy. 

His  tongue  clove  to  the  roof  of  his  mouth  with  terror,  and 
he  nearly  fainted. 

"  The  sentence  of  this  honourable  court  is,  that  the  pris- 
oner Bigamini,  spy,  murderer,  and  abductor  of  children,  who 
has  just  pleaded  guilty  to  the  several  charges  in  the  indict- 
ment, shall  be  condemned  to  death,"  said  Jack. 

He  paused. 

"  Have  you  any  thing  to  say,  prisoner,  why  sentence  of 
death  should  not  be  passed  upon  you  ?  "  he  added. 

Bigamini  said  nothing. 

He  only  stared  stupidly  with  his  twinkling  eyes. 

"  You  shall  be  buried  in  the  sand  at  low  watermark,  and 
be  gradually  drowned,"  continued  Jack,  "  so  that  you  may 
have  time  to  repent,  and  may  Heaven  have  mercy  on  youi 
soul." 

Harvey  and  Sam  nodded  their  heads,  to  intimate  that 
they  thoroughly  approved  of*  the  sentence. 

The  three  friends  looked  about  for  some  shells  with  which 
to  dig  a  hole  in  the  sand  big  enough  to  receive  the  culprit's 
body. 


252      JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

Bigamini  turned  his  head  and  watched  them  like  one  in  a 
dream. 

Neither  spoke  a  word. 

They  were  all  terribly  in  earnest. 

The  spy  was  bleeding  slowly  from  his  wound,  and  the  red 
blood  sank  into  the  thirsty  sand. 

But  neither  pain  nor  fright  could  wring  a  sound  from  him 
now. 

His  mind  was  stunned. 

At  a  moment  when  he  hoped  to  get  off  with  all  his  money, 
he  was  captured  and  condemned  to  death. 

Jack  seemed  determined  not  to  give  him  another  chance. 

All  compassion  was  dead  in  the  hearts  of  his  captors. 

So  numerous  had  been  his  crimes,  so  atrocious  his  con- 
duct, and  so  infamous  his  treachery,  that  he  had  placed 
himself  without  the  pale  of  mercy. 

He  saw  these  stern,  relentless  men  digging  his  grave. 

Slowly  but  surely  the  dreadful  work  proceeded. 

The  hole  grew  deeper. 

It  was  a  little  after  the  ebb,  and  the  tide  was  flowing  slug- 
gishly in. 

About  an  hour's  time  was  required  for  the  water  to  fl«w 
over  the  spot  where  his  executioners  were  working. 

How  terrible  must  have  been  the  wretched  coward* 
thoughts  at  that  moment. 

How  inexpressibly  bitter. 

'  How  deep  ?  "  asked  Sam,  who  was  down  in  the  hole. 

'  What's  his  height  ? "  asked  Jack. 

'  Four  foot  nothing,  I  guess." 

'  Make  it  four  feet." 

•  'Right.     Clear  the  track." 

The  work  went  on  until  the  grave  was  dug. 

By  this  time  the  tide  was  drawing  perilously  near. 

One  wave  larger  than  the  rest  had  rolled  up  to  within  a 
couple  of  yards  of  it. 

Jack  went  up  to  the  prisoner,  and  took  him  by  the  scruff  of 
the  neck  as  he  would  have  done  a  rat. 

Bigamini  shivered. 

The  imminence  of  his  danger  made  him  find  his  tongue. 

"Oh,  sir — oh,  Mr.  Harkaway — kind,  good  gentleman — sir- 
have  pity  !  "  he  gasped. 

"  What  pity  have  you  shown  your  victims  ? "  replied  Jack. 

-  Bigamini  was  silent. 


JACK  HARKA  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.      253 

Ct  Did  you  think  of  my  friends  or  myself  when  you  crrried 
news  of  our  movements  to  Barboni  ?  " 

"  I  was  his  spy,  sir." 

"  Did  you  show  the  witch  any  mercy,  or — but  it  is  a  waste 
of  time  to  talk  to  you." 

As  he  spoke  he  dropped  the  spy  ?nto  the  hole. 

"  Shovel  away,"  he  said. 

Clear-the-Track  and  Harvey  instantly  began  to  pour  in  thf 
sand,  which  they  trod  down  with  their  feet. 

At  length  Bigamini  was  firmly  imbedded. 

They  proceeded  very  much  as  a  man  does  who  is  planting 
a  tree. 

Only  the  spy's  head  remained  above  the  surface. 

"All  done,"  said  Harvey. 

"  Fall  back,"  said  Jack. 

The  three  men  retreated,  and  as  they  had  placed  the  con- 
demned man's  face  towards  the  sea,  they  could  only  see  the 
back  of  his  head. 

His  plaintive  wails  and  exclamations,  however,  were  dis- 
tinctly audible,  migled  with  the  mournful  plashing  of  the 
waves. 

"  Oh,  sir — kind  sir,  spare  me,"  he  cried.  "  I  ain't  so  bad 
as  you  think.  I  might  have  killed  your  child,  but  I  didn't/' 

An  approaching  wave  higher  than  the  other  rolled  up  to 
his  chin,  and  splashed  into  his  open  mouth. 

The  salt  water  made  him  choke. 

"  Lord  help  me,  I  can't  breathe  1 "  he  continued.  "What 
right  have  you  to  kill  me  ?  You're  not  legal  judges." 

"We  are  doing  a  righteous  deed  in  ridding  the  earth  of  a 
contemptible  monster,"  said  Jack. 

Another  and  another  wave  broke  over  him. 

There  was  water  all  round  him  now,  and  it  was  quickly 
circling  in  foaming  wavelets  up  to  his  chin. 

The  man's  last  moments  were  not  spent  in  prayer. 

He  went  mad,  and  cursed  his  enemies  in  language  too 
terrible  to  be  written. 

Jack  turned  away  in  sickening  horror   . 


254      JACK  HARKA  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 
CHAPTER    LXXXI. 

BIGAMINI    DEPARTS   ON   A    VOYAGE. 

HARKA  WAY  and  his  friends  turned  to  go. 

Though  by  no  means  prudish,  their  ears  were  offended  by 
the  fearful  torrent  of  imprecatiovs  Bigamini  poured  out. 

"  I  reckon  I  never  heard  a  cha^  cuss  like  that  but  once, 
and  that  was  out  west  in  California  "  observed  Sam,  as  they 
turned  away. 

"  It  must  have  been  awful  if  it  was  worse  than  this,"  said 
Harvey. 

"  Yes.  I  was  making  tracks  for  an  hotel  in  a  wildish  bit 
of  the  country,  when  I  came  upon  a  tr^in  of  waggons  drawn 
by  mules. 

"  There  was  a  softish  bit  of  road  close  at  hand,  and  I  stood 
up  to  see  how  they  would  get  through  it 

"The  first  waggon  got  through  all  right,  so  did  the  second 
but  the  third  stuck  hard  and  fast. 

"The  driver  shojted,  swore,  and  cracked  his  whip,  but  it 
was  no  go.  Those  behind — there  were  at  least  a  dozen  teams 
altogether — began  to  get  impatient;  as  well  they  might,  for  it 
was  getting  nigh  supper  time,  and  they  were  still  a  mile  from 
the  hotel,  where  they  calculated  upon  finding  some  of  the 
tallest  kind  of  feeding. 

"  At  last  a  long  slab  of  a  coon  from  Vermont,  who  had 
charge  of  the  hindmost  team,  came  up. 

"  He  was  a  very  mild-looking,  fair-complexioned  fellow,  and 
you'd  have  thought  molasses  candy  couldn't  be  sweeter  as 
he  gently  said  to  the  driver  of  the  stranded  team — 

"  My  good  friend,  can  I  help  you  ?  " 

"  The  other  driver  guessed  he  might  if  he  couicl,  so  the  Ver- 
mont man  took  hold  of  the  halter  of  the  near  side  leading 
mule,  and  said,  just  as  gentiy  as  before — 

"  '  Kim  up  here,  mules.' 

"  And  there  was  something  in  his  manner  very  persuasive, 
for  every  mule  strained  at  the  traces  except  one  obstinate 
beast  that  resolutely  arched  its  spine  and  hung  back. 

"  '  Kim  up,  mule,'  repeated  the  Vermont  man,  '  kim  up,  you 
ugly  old ' 


JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.       255 

"Well,  I  can't  repeat  aJ1  he  said,  but  for  ten  minutes  that 
Vermont  man  poured  o>/'  -  ^erfect  flood  of  the  wildest  blas- 
phemy, till  I  almost  feared  the  earth  would  open  and  swal- 
low us  up. 

"  But  the  obstinate  beast  gradually  relaxed,  till  just  as  the 
Vermont  man's  oaths  came  to  a  climax,  all  the  beasts  gave  a 
strain,  and  the  waggon  rolled  on  out  of  the  mire. 

"  I  saw  the  Vermont  man  afterwards  in  the  bar  of  the  hotel, 
where  I  went  for  a  dust-cutter." 

"  What  is  a  dust-cutter  ?  "  Jack  asked. 

"  A  nip  of  whisky  straight,  and  a  prime  thing  it  is,  to  cut 
its  way  through  the  dust  when  your  throat  is  rilled.  The 
Vermont  man  and  the  driver  of  the  stranded  team  were  liquor- 
ing up  together,  and  the  latter  said,  in  a  very  admiring 
tone — 

"  '  Well,  Ned,  you  can  sw'ar,  I  bet.' 

" ' Me  sw'ar ? '  replied  he  of  Vermont,  modestly;  'why, 
stranger,  I  can't  cuss  as  much  as  is  worth  a  cent.  But  you 
oughter  just  hear  old  Zeke  Jackson.  He  can  exhort  the  im- 
penitent animals.  Why,  stranger,  I've  knowed  a  mule  re- 
nounce all  the  pomps  and  vanities  of  this  world,  and  haul 
four  tons  through  a  foot  of  clay,  when  old  Zeke  was  holding 
forth.'  " 

"  Ha,  ha,  ha  !  "  laughed  our  friends,  but  their  laughter  died 
away,  as  a  most  unearthly  wail  of  agony  from  the  lips  of  the 
unfortunate  Bigamini  reached  their  ears. 

"  It's  rather  a  cold-blooded  thing,  after  all,  to  leave  him 
there  to  be  drowned,"  said  Harvey.  "  Don't  you  think  so, 
Jack  ? " 

Jack  nodded  and  replied — 

"  I've  just  been  thinking  that  we  are  rather  exceeding  the 
limits  of  just  vengeance.  Let  us  get  him  up  before  it  is  too 
2ate." 

"  Go  ahead,  then,  boss  !  "  exclaimed  Clear-the-Track. 

They  rushed  back  at  full  speed. 

Of  a  surety,  the  wretched  spy  was  in  a  pitiful  case,  for 
each  wave,  as  it  touched  the  shore,  rolled  up  over  his  head, 
and  it  was  only  at  intervals  that  he  could  breathe  and  cough 
out  the  salt  water  that  filled  his  nostrils  and  mouth. 

The  three  friends  dashed  into  the  water  and  commenced 
removing  the  sand,  Harkaway  using  a  flat  piece  of  wood — a 
broken  oar-blade  that  had  just  been  washed  up. 

But  it  was  slow  work,  for  every  moment  the  water  was 


256       JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

getting  deeper,  and  each  wave,  in  its  advance,  washed  some 
sand  back  into  the  hole. 

"  Clear  the  track  !  "  exclaimed  the  Yankee,  shouting  his 
War  cry.  "  Here,  fix  this  rope  round  the  skunk's  body  just 
\inder  his  arms ;  then  a  good  strong  pull,  and  out  he  comes." 

In  an  instant  the  suggestion  was  acted  upon,  and  with  all 
\he  force  of  their  muscular  arms,  the  three  friends  pulled 
away  at  the  body  of  the  spy. 

But  the  wet  sand  held  him  most  tenaciously,  and  it  was 
only  just  possible  for  them  to  extricate  him. 

However,  they  did  at  length — when  his  legs  were  almost 
dislocated — manage  to  drag  him  from  his  perilous  position. 

"  Blame  the  confounded  skunk  !  "  ejaculated  Clear-the- 
Track.  "  I  fancy  he's  drowned  after  all." 

"No,"  said  Harvey,  "  see,  he  moves." 

"  He's  bound  to  die  a  drier  death,"  said  Jack. 

"  Of  which  this  rope  we've  hauled  him  out  with  is  an 
emblem,"  was  the  remark  of  Clear-the-Track  Sam. 

One  or  two  slight  movements  of  the  face  and  limbs  con- 
vinced Jack  Harkaway  and  his  friends  that  fhe  wretched 
spy  was  still  alive. 

So  they  poured  a  little  drop  of  whisky  down  his  throat, 
a  proceeding  which  soon  effected  a  complete  cure. 

"  Oh,  once  I  was  a  happy  Smiffins,  but  now  I  am  a  very 
miserable,  half-drowned  Bigamini,"  muttered  the  poor 
wretch. 

"  What  are  we  going  to  do  with  him  now  ? "  asked  Harvey, 

"  I  hardly  know,"  replied  Jack.  "  It  won't  do  to  leave 
him  about  this  neighbourhood.  If  we  do,  he  is  certain  tc 
take  to  murder  and  robbery  again.'' 

"  Take  him  into  Naples,"  suggested  Clear-the-Track. 

"No  good  ;  yet  I  don't  know  that  it  would  not  be  the 
best  plan." 

Now  Bigamini  had  been  listening  to  his  tormentors,  being 
very  anxious  indeed  to  know  what  they  intended  doing 
with  him. 

He  felt  convinced  by  this  time  that  his  life  was  to  be  spared 
though,  far  from  feeling  grateful,  he  resolved  in  his  own 
mind  never  to  miss  an  opportunity  of  doing  an  injury  to  the 
three  friends. 

^  But  going  back  to  Naples,  where,  perhaps,  some  ugly 
disclosures  might  be  made  respecting  past  transactions,  did 
not  suit  him  at  all. 


JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.      257 

He  therefore  opened  his  eyes  and  began  moaning. 

"  Oh,  noble  gentlemen,  for  Heaven's  sake,  have  pity  on 
one  who  once  was  a  happy " 

"  Shut  up  !  I  don't  want  that  kind  of  gammon,"  Jack 
said,  very  sharply. 

"  If  you  are  not  quiet,  we'll  bury  you  again,  head  down- 
wards," said  Clear-the-Track. 

"  Oh,  gentlemen,  listen  to  the  prayer  of  a  poor,  miserable 
Bigamini.  Don't  take  me  to  Naples.  Do  what  you  like  with 
hie  except  that.  Send  me  to  sea  in  an  open  boat,  without 
oars,  sail,  or  provisions,  if  you  like,  but  don't  take  me  to 
Naples." 

Jack  gave  him  a  gentle  touch  with  his  toe,  not  far  from 
the  spot  where  the  American's  bullet  had  penetrated,  and 
bade  him  rise,  an  order  which  the  wretched  spy  was  con- 
strained to  obey. 

Bigamini  was  drenched  to  the  skin  with  salt  water,  and 
the  damp  sand  clung  to  his  clothing. 

Ever  and  anon,  he  rubbed  the  wounded  part,  which  the 
salt  water  caused  to  smart  terribly,  though  it  had  stopped 
the  bleeding, 

"  Now  walk  on  in  front  of  us,"  said  Jack. 

"And  remember,"  added  Clear-the-Track  Sam,  "if  you 
.attempt  to  escape,  I  swear  by  the  ghost  of  General  Jackson, 
A' 11  let  daylight  through  the  other  end  of  you." 

By  way  of  convincing  Bigamini  that  he  was  in  earnest,  the 
young  American  reloaded  his  rifle. 

They  kept  along  the  beach,  going  towards  Naples. 

Had  it  not  been  for  Clear-the-Track's  threat,  Bigamini 
would  have  bolted,  but  he  had  a  wholesome  fear  of  the  rifle, 
and  knew  that  an  attempt  to  escape  would  bring  swift  pun- 
ishment. 

When  they  had  gone  something  like  a  couple  of  miles, 
Vhey  came  in  sight  of  a  little  fishing  village,  where  some 
eight  or  ten  boats  were  drawn  up  on  the  beach. 

Telling  Harvey  and  Sam  to  guard  their  prisoner  carefully, 
>ack  Harkaway  strode  forward  and  entered  into  a  bargain 
mvith  the  fishermen. 

One  boat  he  purchased  outright,  paying  for  it  in  gold,  with 
<*.  liberality  that  fairly  astonished  the  vendor. 

Another  smaller  craft  he  hired. 

"  Shall  I  assist  you  to  row,  signer  ?  "  asked  the  man. 

"  No,"  replied  the  former  "  stroke  "  of  the  Oxford  eight ; 


258      JA  CK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG   THE  BRIGANDS. 

"  launch  the  boats,  fasten  the  bow  of  the  small  one  to  the 
stern  of  the  larger,  and  then  I  shall  need  no  assistance." 

The  man  did  as  desired,  smiling  at  the  difficulties  he  ex- 
pected the  English  signer  would  encounter  when  he  got  into 
the  boat. 

But  when  Jack  took  up  the  oars  and  commenced  rowing, 
his  smile  changed  to  a  prolonged  stare  of  astonishment. 

"  Per  Baccho !  These  English  signori  are  devils,"  he  ex- 
claimed. 

Jack  soon  ran  his  two  boats  aground  just  where  Sam  and 
Harvey  were  waiting  with  their  prisoner. 

"  In  with  you,"  exclaimed  our  hero.  "  You,  Bigamini,  it? 
the  small  boat,  Harvey  and  Sam  with  me." 

Bigamini  hesitated,  but  Clear-the-Track's  rifle  soon  com- 
pelled obedience. 

"  What  are  you  a-going  to  do  with  me,  Mr.  Harkaway  ?  " 
he  asked. 

"  You  said  you  would  rather  be  sent  to  sea  in  an  open  boa? 
without  oars  or  sail,  so  you  shall  have  that  treat.  Come,  Dick, 
take  an  oar,  and  we'll  give  this  beggar  a  ride  free  gratis  for 
nothing,  as  poor  Sir  Sidney  Dawson's  scout  used  to  say." 

"  For  Heaven's  sake,"  he  began,  but  the  American,  who 
sat  in  the  stern  of  the  larger  boat,  jerked  that  Bigamini 
occupied  up  and  down  in  such  a  manner  that  the  spy  was 
compelled  to  devote  all  his  attention  to  the  preservation  of 
his  balance,  and  therefore  held  his  tongue. 

Jack  and  Harvey  pulled  away  as  though  they  had  been 
pulling  for  a  wager. 

Objects  on  shore  grew  smaller  and  smaller  as  they  receded 
from  it. 

Presently  a  breeze  came  off  the  land,  then  Jack  dropped 
his  oar  and  hoisted  a  small  mast  and  sail,  which  formed 
part  of  the  equipment  of  the  boat. 

Then  merrily  away  before  the  wind,  till  the  coast-line  b? 
came  hazy,  and  finally  vanished  entirely. 

They  were  beyond  sight  of  land. 

Jack  then  lowered  his  sail,  and  resuming  the  oars,  puileo 
round  and  round  in  a  circle  for  some  little  time,  to  "puzz»^ 
the  beggar,"  as  he  said. 

When  Jack  had  finished,  he  untied  the  rope  which  had 
held  Bigamini's  boat  to  his  own,  and  allowed  the  spy  to 
drift  away. 

"  Mr.    Harkaway,"   shrieked   the   wretch,    "  this   'ere   is 


JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.       259 

murder !  Give  us  a  chance  for  life  :  leave  us  one  of  them 
oars  to  guide  the  boat  with." 

Jack  and  his  friends  held  a  short  consultation,  the  result 
of  which  was  that  Bigamini  was  permitted  to  keep  both 
oars  ;  and  Clear-the-Track,  at  the  last  moment,  threw  to 
him  a  leather-covered  flask,  half  full  of  whisky. 

Then  they  hoisted  sail  and  bore  away,  leaving  Bigamini 
afloat  on  the  Mediterranean. 

"  We  have  been  in  a  worse  fix  than  this,  eh,  Dick  ? "  said 
lack,  looking  back  at  the  spy,  who  was  a  very  bad  oars- 
man. 

"  We  have,"  replied  Harvey ;  "  and  we  had  done  nothing 
very  bad  to  deserve  such  luck." 

"  I  expect  he's  about  a  settled  member,"  said  Clear-the- 
Track.  "  If  he  isn't  drowned,  he's  bound  to  starve." 

"  There  are  many  chances  in  his  favour.  He  is  almost 
certain  to  be  picked  up  by  some  passing  vessel." 

In  an  hour  they  had  sighted  land  again. 

Bigamini  and  his  little  boat  could  no  longer  be  seen. 
Jack  steered  direct  for  Naples,  guiding  himself  by  a  small 
compass  attached  to  his  watch  chain. 

It  was  late  in  the  evening,  and  the  wind  was  blowing  half 
a  gale,  when  they  landed.  A  poor  lookout  for  Bigamini, 
they  all  agreed,  yet  they  felt  happier  at  the  thought  that 
they  had  at  all  events  given  him  just  a  chance  of  saving 
his  own  life.  It  would  have  been  unlike  Jack's  manly 
character  to  have  allowed  him  to  drown  in  that  hole  in  the 
sands. 

But  what  of  Bigamini  himself  ? 

He  knew  little  of  rowing,  and  the  current  was  running  fast, 
so  that  in  spite  of  his  endeavours  to  follow  our  hero,  he  was 
unable  to  do  so.  Presently  he  was  all  alone. 

Then  he  began  to  curse,  but  that  did  no  good,  so  he  ap- 
plied to  the  whisky  flask  ,  and  under  the  influence  of  a 
draught,  hope  once  more  began  to  whisper  in  his  ear.  A 
ship  might  pass  and  pick  him  up. 

But  when  the  night  was  darkest,  Bigamini's  guilty  con- 
science began  to  people  the  surrounding  space  with  the 
spirits  of  his  many  victims.  There  was  the  old  witch,  his 
own  wife,  and  many  others  whose  days  had  been  shortened 
by  his  agency;  and  they  seemed  to  howl  in  his  ear  that  the 
time  of  vengeance  was  at  hand. 

The  fearful  visions  he  conjured  up  would  not  be  laid  by 


260      JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

repeated  applications  to  the  whisky  flask,  so  the  wretched 
little  tailor  lay  down  in  the  bottom  of  the  boat,  and  cursed 
his  ill-fate  till  daylight  chased  away  the  phantoms  with 
which  darkness  had  surrounded  him. 

And  so  the  next  night  was  passed  by  him,  as  also  the  third 
and  the  fourth.  Bigamini  had  long  since  given  up  rowing, 
so  that  the  fourth  day  found  him  drifting  with  the  wind  and 
current. 

Certainly  the  fates  had  not  treated  him  kindly,  but  then 
he  deserved  no  kindness,  for  his  hand  had  been  against 
every  man. 

Five  days  and  nights  did  he  toss  about  in  his  boat,  in 
a  state  almost  verging  on  madness,  sometimes  blaspheming, 
at  others  whistling  and  singing. 

And  the  idea  of  death,  which  at  first  had  been  very  terrible, 
now  seemed  more  familiar — nay,  he  even  went  so  far  as  to 
contemplate  it  as  a  means  of  putting  an  end  to  the  miseries 
he  endured. 

"  Hang  it,  who  is  afraid  ?  "  he  exclaimed.  "  Every  man 
must  die.  A  man  can  die  but  once,  and  when  it  is  over 
there  is  an  end." 

Bigamini  tried  to  look  extremely  brave  and  resolute  as  he 
uttered  these  words,  but  when  he  remembered  that  there  was 
no  one  at  hand  to  be  surprised  at  his  bravery,  he  relaxed  a 
little. 

"  I  wonder  if  that  would  be  the  end.  I  don't  know  much 
about  it,  but  when  I  was  a  happy  Smiffins  I  used  to  hear 
about  another  state,  about  rewards  and  punishments.  Now, 
If  that's  true,  the  old  one  below  will  have  me,  that's  certain." 

He  paused  a  moment,  but  suddenly  mustering  up  resolu- 
tion, shrieked — 

"Curse  me!  I'll  think  about  it  no  longer.  I  am  not  afraid 
of  death,  so  here  goes." 

With  which  words  Bigamini  struggled  to  his  feet,  and  after 
one  last  despairing  look  around,  threw  himself  head  fore- 
most into  the  blue  sea. 


TACK  HARKA  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.      261 
CHAPTER   LXXXII. 

THE    EXECUTION    OF   THE    BRIGAND   CHIEF. 

WHEN  th«  three  friends  reached  the  Strada  di  Toledo, 
they  were  surprised  to  see  Monday  performing  extraordinary 
antics  on  the  doorstep. 

"  Hullo  !  "  said  Sam,  "  look  at  the  Kinki's  head  cutting  up 
Jim  Crow  capers.  Look  at  him.  He's  gone  clean  off  his 
cocoanut." 

"  What's  the  row,  Monday  ?  "  asked  Jack. 

"  Um  caught  the  brigand,  sare,"  replied  Monday. 

"Who  has?" 

"  Mast'  Walter.     Him  just  come  back  with  um." 

"  Are  you  really  in  earnest  ? "  said  Jack,  whose  eyes 
burned  lustrously. 

"  Me  see  um,  sare,  lodged  in  um  gaol.  All  Naples  got  um 
flags  out.  The  general  him  been  here." 

"  This  is  great  news,"  said  Jack. 

"  Immense,"  remarked  Harvey. 

"  Guess  the  little  coxswain's  a  big  chap,"  observed  Clear- 
the-Track. 

"  Our  task  is  nearly  ended,"  said  Jack,  who  ran  up  stairs  to 
his  wife. 

Emily  no  sooner  saw  him  than  she  threw  herself  into  his 
arms,  sobbing  with  joy. 

"  Have  you  heard  the  news,  dearest  ?  "  he  asked. 

"  Oh,  yes  !  " 

"  It  is  all  over  now,"  continued  Jack. 

"Thank  God,  Jack,  thank  God !  "    said  Emily. 

Placing  her  on  a  sofa,  he  entered  the  next  room,  where  he 
found  Mr.  Mole  and  Walter  Campbell  engaged  in  a  hot  dis- 
cussion. 

"  I  tell  you  straight,"  said  Walter,  "  that  I  captured  the 
brigand." 

"  And  I  tell  you,  sir,"  replied  Mr.  Mole,  "  that  I  found 
him  first." 

"  Why  didn't  you  collar  him,  then  ? " 

"  Because  I  had  too  much  generosity  to  hand  a  poor, 
broken-down  blind  man  over  to  the  police." 

•  And  I  hadn't,  you  see.     That  is  just  the  difference." 


262      JACK  HARKA  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS, 

"  It's  my  find,"  said  Mole,  doggedly. 

"And  it's  my  capture,"  replied  Walter,  with  equal  dog- 
gedness. 

"  My  dear  fellows,"  said  Jack,  "  I  congratulate  you  both. 
Why  grumble  over  the  matter  ?  You  have  got  the  scoundrel, 
and  that  ought  to  be  enough  for  you." 

"But  it  isn't,"  said  Walter.  "  Mole  says  he  did  it  all,  and 
he  didn't." 

"  I  found  him,"  replied  Mr.  Mole,  "  and  I  let  him  alone, 
out  of  pity." 

"  More  fool  you,"  said  Walter. 

"  Mr.  Campbell,"  replied  Mr.  Mole,  "  I  will  not  put  up 
with  such  language  from  you  or  anyone." 

"  Then  do  the  other  thing." 

"  What's  that,  may  I  ask  ?  " 

"  Lump  it," 

"  Just  what  I  might  expect  from  a  Cambridge  man,"  said 
Mole,  with  a  sneer. 

"  Don't  you  run  Cambridge  down." 

"  Look  here,"  said  Jack,  "I  won't  have  it  !  this  is  not 
the  time  for  a  row.  Stash  it,  young  one.  I  have  something 
to  tell  you." 

He's  so  jolly  aggravating,  the  old  humbug,"  said  Walter. 

You  have  captured  the  brigand " 

No,  I  did  it,"  said  Mole. 

Well,  you  did  it  between  you,  sir.    Will  that  do  ?    And  if 
you've  done  one  big  thing,  we've  done  another." 
What's  that  ? " 

We  have  been  lucky  enough  to  settle  Bigamini." 
The  bigger  thief  of  the  two,"  said  Walter. 

"  The  last  snake  in  the  nest,"    said  Mr.  Mole. 

"  We'll  have  a  champagne  cup,  as  well  iced  as  Monday 
can  do  it,"  said  Jack,  "  and  sink  all  our  differences  in  the 
flowing  bowl." 

"  Hurrah  !  "  cried  Walter.  "  I'm  sorry,  though,  there  are 
no  more  brigands  to  kill." 

"  We  will  drown  our  differences,  Harkaway,  in  the  flowing 
bowl,"  cried  Mr.  Mole. 

"  That's  right,"  replied  Jack. 

"  This  is  a  great  day,  a  very  great  day,  and  I  shall  always 
observe  it  as  such,"  cried  Mole. 

"  We've  licked  after  all,  and  if  it  wasn't  for  Garden's 
loss "  said  Walter. 


JA  CK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.       263 

"  Hush  !  "  whispered    Jack,     "  we    mustn't   conjure    up 
ghosts.     I   regret  poor  Tom  as  much  as  anyone.     But  I 
mean  to  be  jolly  to-night  all  the  same." 
Shall  we  give  a  cheer  ?  "  asked  Walter. 
Yes,"  replied  Jack. 
A  regular  rouser  ? " 
Yes." 

One  that  will  be  heard  in  the  street  ?  " 
Yes.     Here   come    Dick  and    Sam ;  let  them  have   it- 
We'll  illuminate  the  house  to-night." 

"  Take  the  tip  from  me,  then.    Join  us,  you  fellows,"  said 
the  little  coxswain,  who  was  much  excited.     "  Ready?" 
There  was  a  general  response  in  the  affirmative. 
"  Hip,  hip,  hip,  hurrah  !  hurrah  !  hurrah  ! 

"  For  we  are  jolly  good  fellows — 
For  we  are  jolly  good  fellows — 
For  we  are  joly  good  fellows — 

And  so  say  all  of  us." 

"  Hip,  hip,  hip  !  hurrah  !  hurrah  !  hurrah  !  " 

"  It's  a  way  we  have  in  the  army, 
It's  a  way  we  have  in  the  navy, 
It's  a  way  we  have  at  the  'varsity, 

To  drink  a  fellow's  health." 

"  Hurrah  !  hurrah  !  hurrah  !  " 

The  lazy  Neapolitans  who  were  passing  by  stopped  in  the 
street  to  listen,  wondering  what  the  noise  meant. 

The  evening  passed  very  pleasantly. 

General  Cialdini  would  have  had  Barboni  tried  by  a  court 
martial,  but  as  he  was  not  captured  by  the  military,  it  was 
decided  that  he  must  appear  before  the  ordinary  criminal 
court. 

The  indictment  against  him  was  a  very  long  one. 

Barboni  did  not  employ  counsel. 

He  refused  all  offers  of  assistance. 

At  length  the  day  of  the  trial  came  on,  and  the  court  was 
crowded. 

The  counsel  for  the  crown  had  a  very  large  brief,  and 
seemed  anxious  to  make  a  long  speech. 

Led  in  by  the  gaolers,  Barboni  took  his  place  in  the  dock. 

His  steps  were  faltering,  but  when  he  knew  where  he  had 
to  stand,  he  drew  himself  up,  and  remained  perfectly  erect. 

The  indictment  was  read  out. 


264       JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

Then  the  usher  of  the  court  ordered  silence,  and  the  great 
brigand  was  asked  if  he  pleaded  guilty  or  not  guilty. 

"  My  lord  president  of  this  court,"  said  Barboni,  "  I  have 
fallen  upon  evil  times,  and  knowing  that  my  fate  is  already 
decided,  I  plead  guilty  to  the  charges  brought  against  me." 

The  judge  proceeded  to  pass  sentence  upon  him. 

This  was  that  he  should  be  hanged  by  the  neck  in  the 
public  plaza  until  he  was  dead. 

The  gaolers  then  led  him  away. 

One  week  was  allowed  to  elapse  between  the  sentence 
and  the  execution. 

The  day  before  the  one  appointed  for  the  execution,  Bar- 
boni sent  for  Harkaway. 

Jack  went  to  the  prison. 

He  was  conducted  into  the  condemned  cell,  where  he  found 
Barboni  awaiting  him. 

To  Jack's  astonishment  he  advanced  towards  him,  and 
held  out  his  hand. 

Jack  drew  back. 

"  I  thought  you  were  blind,"  he  said. 

"  I  was ;  but  I  have  engaged  the  best  surgical  skill  since  I 
have  been  here,  and  my  sight  is  partially  restored  to  me," 
replied  Barboni. 

"  Why  have  you  sent  for  me  ?  " 

"  Because  I  wish  you  to  complete  the  work  you  have  be- 
gun." 

"  In  what  way  ? " 

"  It  is  my  intention  to  do  justice  to  Lady  Barrel  and  her 
son.  Here  is  my  written  confession.  Take  it,  and  you  will 
find  that  they  will  have  little  difficulty  in  regaining  their  own." 

Jack  took  the  document. 

"  I  am  glad  that  you  have  made  reparation,"  he  said. 

"  Why  have  I  done  it  ? "  said  Barboni ;  "  why,  because  I 
loved  the  woman.  You  do  not  suppose,  Mr.  Harkaway,  that 
the  fear  of  death  affects  me." 

He  laughed  scornfully. 

"  I  have  faced  it  too  often  to  think  that  it  has  any  terrors. 
No,  no,  I  have  a  tinge  of  English  blood  in  my  veins,  and 
the  English  are  not  generally  afraid  of  death." 

"  Have  you  English  blood  in  you  ? "  asked  Jack. 

"  Yes." 

"  How  is  that  ? " 

"  My  father  was  an  Englishman,"  replied  Barboni,  proudly. 


JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.       265 

"  Have  you  any  thing  else  to  say  to  me  ? "  queried  Jack. 

"Won't you  shake  hands  with  the  brigand,  Mr.  Harka* 
way  ? " 

"  Thank  you  for  the  honour,  but " 

"  You'd  rather  not,  eh  ? "  said  Barboni,  with  a  smile,  see- 
ing he  hesitated. 

'•  Exactly." 

"  Yet  you  did  not  mind  being  friendly  with  the  Prince  di 
Villanova,  and  I  and  the  prince  are  one  and  the  same  per- 
son." 

"  I  was  not  to  know  that,"  said  Jack. 

"  Well,  I  am  sorry  I  made  the  offer.  If  you  have  your 
pride,  I  have  mine,"  said  Barboni. 

Jack  made  no  reply. 

"  You  seem  to  forget  that  I  was  a  generous  enemy,"  con- 
tinued Barboni. 

"  In  what  way  ? " 

"  I  spared  the  life  of  your  friend,  Mr.  Garden,  when  I  had 
him  in  my  power." 

"  Well  ? " 

"  And  when  you  were  my  prisoner  I  did  not  order  you  to 
be  stabbed  or  shot." 

"  That's  true,"  said  Jack  ;  "  but  there  is  no  knowing  what 
you  might  have  done  if  my  faithful  Monday  had  not  rescued 
me." 

"  Go,  Mr.  Harkaway,"  said  Barboni.  "  I  have  found  you 
a  brave  enemy,  and  the  luck  is  on  your  side  now." 

"  You  only  meet  with  the  fate  you  might  have  expected," 
said  Jack,  "  and  I  tell  yout  hat  I  have  no  sympathy  for  you." 

"  I  do  not  want  it."  ' 

The  brigand  waved  his  hand  loftily,  and  Jack  retired  with 
his  confession  in  his  pocket. 

It  was  singular  that  the  sight  of  this  remarkable  criminal 
should  have  been  restored  by  surgical  skill  on  the  eve  of  his 
execution. 

It  would  only  enable  him  to  see  the  surging  crowd. 

To  behold  the  ghastly  scaffold,  and  this  hideous  gibbet 
from  which  he  was  to  swing  from  this  world  into  eternity. 

When  the  morning  of  the  fatal  day  came,  the  friends  pre- 
pared to  go  and  witness  the  execution. 

All  Naples  was  en  fete. 

An  execution  was  always  a  holiday  with  the  Neapolitans. 

And  the  death  of  such  a  distinguished  man  as  Barboni  had 


266      JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

made  himself  was  certainly  an  opportunity  for  sightseeing 
such  as  the  most  idle  and  listless  of  the  lazaroni  even  could 
not  resist. 

Jack  and  his  friend  took  a  window  overlooking  the  square 
where  the  scaffold  was  erected. 

They  were  rather  grave  than  otherwise,  for  death  is  a  som- 
bre thing  to  contemplate  when  it  comes  with  all  the  funeral 
trappings  of  the  criminal  law. 

At  ten  o'clock  the  plaza  was  densely  thronged. 

A  vast  number  of  citizens  had  taken  up  favourable  positions 
overnight. 

Troops  were  posted  in  every  position  of  vantage. 

It  was  determined  this  time  by  the  authorities  to  guard 
against  a  surprise. 

No  one,  however  daring,  could  hope  to  rescue  Barboni. 

At  a  quarter-past  ten  he  came  into  the  square. 

A  priest  walked  by  his  side,  and  holding  up  a  cross,  he  ex- 
horted him  to  listen  to  the  ministrations  of  religion. 

But  the  brigand  shook  his  head. 

He  turned  a  deaf  ear  to  him. 

As  he  lived,  he  died — an  infidel. 

He  mounted  the  scaffold  with  a  firm  step,  and  did  not 
shrink  when  the  rope  was  placed  round  his  neck. 

Turning  to  the  populace,  he  attempted  to  make  a  speech. 

"  Good  people,"  he  said,  "  I  am  the  victim  of  English  hate 
and  persecution,  but  I  die  hurling  defiance  against  heaven 
and  earth." 

A  thrill  of  horror  ran  through  the  spectators. 

The  executioner  obeyed  a  sign  from  the  priest. 

He  dropped  the  bolt. 

Barboni  fellintothegulf,  just  as  the  impious  words  left  his  lips. 

He  hung  suspended  before  the  gaping  crowd. 

His  limbs  twitched  convulsively  for  more  than  a  minute. 

Then  he  ceased  to  exist. 

Such  was  the  end  of  Barboni  the  brigand  chief,  who  was 
publicly  hanged,  as  a  punishment  for  his  misdeeds,  in  the 
sight  of  the  major  part  of  the  population  of  Naples. 

Jack  only  wished  to  satisfy  himself  that  the  miscreant  was 
dead. 

It  had  occurred  to  him  that  Hunston  and  Toro  might  try  to 
effect  a  rescue,  though  he  did  not  think  such  a  thing  at  all 
likely. 

Quitting  the  sickening  spectacle,  they  all  returred  home. 


JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.       267 
CHAPTER  LXXIII. 

THE  STRANGE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  CASTAWAY. 

OUR  readers  perhaps  imagine  that  we  have  entirely  finished 
the  career  of  Bigamini  with  his  desperate  attempt  at  suicide 
as  recorded  in  previous  a  chapter. 

Never  was  a  greater  mistake. 

Within  two  minutes  after  his  plunge,  Bigamini  was  in  his 
boat  again,  and  that  too,  without  the  aid  of  any  special  inter- 
vention of  Providence. 

It  came  to  pass  in  this  manner. 

While  descending  through  the  water,  Bigamini  not  only 
saw  but  actually  touched  a  large  fish  of  the  kind  known  to 
the  Mediterranean  fishers  as  the  tunny. 

The  fish  was  horribly  scared,  and  swam  away,  while  Biga- 
mini, being  under  the  impression  that  it  was  a  shark,  struck 
vigorously  upwards,  regained  the  surface  of  the  water,  and 
scrambled  towards  his  boat,  which  was  only  a  couple  of 
yards  off. 

"  Not  for  me  !  "  he  exclaimed,  as  he  climbed  over  the  gun- 
wale. "  I  don't  fancy  that  chap's  jaws  a-smashing  and 
crashing  through  my  bones !  If  it  was  only  peaceful 
drowning,  I  wouldn't  mind  ;  but  fond  as  I  am  of  fishing,  I 
don't  care  to  be  bait." 

So  he  laid  himself  down  to  dry  in  the  sun  in  a  condition 
not  to  be  envied  by  any  human  being,  shivering  with  cold, 
hungry  and  thirsty,  but  with  all  his  suicidal  notions  taken 
completely  out  of  him. 

But  he  still  raved  as  much  as  ever. 

At  length,  at  about  midnight,  when  it  was  extremely  dark, 
and  when  cold  and  hunger  had  almost  overcome  him,  he  be- 
held a  light  at  a  distance. 

"  It  is  a  star,"  was  Bigamini's  first  thought,  but  a  few  sec- 
onds' reflection  convinced  him  the  atmosphere  was  too  thick 
to  allow  any  starlight  to  penetrate. 

It  must  be  a  ship's  light. 

He  looked,  he  shouted  with  all  the  force  of  his  lungs,  but 
still  the  light  did  not  move,  or  if  it  did,  it  approached  by  such 
imperceptible  degrees  that  it  gave  him  little  or  no  hope. 


268     JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

At  last  it  died  away. 

Bigamini  then  gave  way  to  despair  again. 

But  as  day  broke  hope  once  more  gained  the  ascendant, 
for,  to  his  inexpressible  delight,  he  beheld  a  sail  at  a  very 
little  distance. 

Bigamini  did  every  thing  he  could  to  attract  attention,  and 
soon  had  the  satisfaction  of  perceiving  that  he  had  been 
noticed. 

The  sea  was  calm. 

The  course  of  the  vessel  brought  her  within  five  hundred 
yards  of  the  castaway. 

A  boat  was  lowered,  and  in  a  very  short  time  Bigamini  was 
on  the  deck  of  the  good  ship  "  Cato,"  bound  from  the  Black 
Sea  to  Brazil. 

As  soon  as  some  refreshment  had  revived  the  wretched 
Bigamini  a  little,  the  captain  of  the  "  Cato,"  a  stalwart  Eng 
lishman,  named  Hughes,  very  naturally  wished  to  know  wh  it 
had  happened  that  he  chanced  to  be  floating  about  alone. 

Now  Bigamini,  in  his  intense  joy  at  being  once  more  saved, 
had  not  thought  of  that. 

Of  course  he  had  not  the  remotest  intention  of  speaking  the 
truth. 

The  only  thing  was  to  hatch  up  a  yarn  which  should  bear 
some  semblance  of  probability  without  going  too  much  into 
detail.  So,  after  a  good  deal  of  stammering  and  hesitating, 
he  commenced — 

"  I  shipped  on  board  the  « Black  Boy.' " 

"  What  as  ? "  demanded  the  captain  and  mate  in  a  breath. 

"  As — as  a  sailor,  sir." 

"  They  must  have  been  precious  short  of  hands  to  ship  such 
a  lubber  as  you,"  said  Captain  Hughes,  contemptuously. 
"  Go  on.  Where  did  you  ship  ? " 

"At  Palermo,  in  Sicily,  sir.  We  were  wrecked  in  that  gale 
five  days  ago,  and  all  hands,  except  myself,  were  drowned. 
I  managed  to  save  myself  by  getting  into  that  boat." 

"And  why  did  not  the  others  get  into  the  boat  ?  " 

"  I  really  don't  know,  sir.  I  was  very  much  confused,  and 
don't  exactly  remember  what  happened,  but  I  suppose  they 
forgot  it." 

Captain  Hughes  stared,  but  the  mate,  who  had  been  looking 
over  the  side,  exclaimed — 

"  Why,  sir,  that  boat  never  belonged  to  the  '  Black  Boy,' 
It's  one  of  the  Italian  fisher  boats." 


JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.       269 

"  It  strikes  me  that  this  fellow  is  about  the  biggest  liar 
that  ever  spoke  the  English  language,  if  he  is  not  something 
worse.  Now,  then,  you  had  better  tell  me  the  truth." 

"  I  have,  sir,  on  my  word  of  honour." 

"  Your  word  isn't  worth  a  tinker's  curse.  Who  was  the 
captain  of  the  '  Black  Boy  ? '  ' 

"  Captain  Campbell,"  answered  Bigamini,  prompted  there- 
to by  a  passing  recollection  of  the  little  coxswain. 

"  Another  lie.  Why,  seven  days  ago,  when  we  spoke  the 
'  Black  Boy,'  there  was  no  such  man  on  board.  Now  I'll  just 
give  you  one  more  chance  to  tell  the  truth,  you  dirty  little 
vagabond  ;  and  if  you  don't,  why,  look  out  for  squalls." 

Bigamini  remained  silent. 

"  Speak,  you  scoundrel,"  said  Captain  Hughes,  catching 
hold  of  one  end  of  a  coil  of  rope. 

In  spite  of  the  threatening  gesture  of  the  captain,  Bigamini 
saw  that  any  attempt  to  explain  would  only  involve  fresh 
contradictions  and  exposure. 

So  he  very  rapidly  and  philosophically  made  up  his  mind 
that  it  would  be  better  to  endure  a  rope's  ending  for  silence 
than  to  risk  the  chance  of  greater  ills,  which  would  very 
likely  follow  if  he  told  the  truth. 

"  Speak,  you  rascal — once  ! "  exclaimed  Captain   Hughes. 

Bigamini  shook  his  head  to  intimate  that  he  had  no  inten- 
tion of  doing  so. 

"  Speak— twice  !  " 

Captain  Hughes  flourished  the  rope's  end  over  his  head, 
but  the  little  tailor  resolutely  held  his  tongue. 

"  For  the  third  and  last  time — speak  !  "  shouted  the  exasper- 
ated captain. 

Not  a  word. 

Down  came  the  rope  with  full  force,  and  Bigamini  gave 
vent  to  a  terrible  yell. 

Again,  again  and  again  the  cruel  cord  descended  on  the 
shoulders  of  the  howling  little  spy,  but  still  he  obstinately 
maintained  silence  as  to  the  past,  though  loudly  imploring 
for  mercy  in  the  present. 

18 You  villain  !"  said  Captain  Hughes.  "It  seems  you 
are  obstinate;  well,  I'll  take  care  and  hand  you  over  to  the 
authorities  when  I  reach  the  end  of  the  voyage.  I  war- 
rant they  will  find  some  method  of  making  yon  speak.  Go 
forward  ;  and,  Mr.  Wild,  see  the  rascal  works  for  his  ra- 
tions." 


2  yo      JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BKIGANDS. 

"  Aye,  aye,  sir,"  said  the  mate.  "  Now  then,  What's-your- 
name,  forward  you  go." 

"  Where's  that,  please,  sir  ? " 

"  A  pretty  sailor  you  are  to  ship  on  board  the '  Black  Boy ! ' " 
exclaimed  the  captain,  in  a  towering  rage.  "  Why,  there's 
forward." 

So  saying,  he  laid  hold  of  Bigamini's  collar  with  one  hand, 
and  his  trousers  with  the  other,  and  threw  him  with  great 
force  toward  the  foremast. 

Poor  Bigamini  fell  on  one  of  the  ringbolts,  and  cut  his 
ankle  severely. 

He  lay  howling  on  the  deck  for  half  an  hour  ;  the  crew, 
who  had  heard  his  bald,  disjointed  tale,  being  of  the  same 
opinion  as  the  captain — namely,  that  he  was  an  impostor,  if 
not  something  worse. 

So  they  took  little  or  no  notice  of  him  till  a  shift  of  the 
wind  necessitated  an  alteration  of  the  sails,  when,  cursing 
him  for  a  useless,  hulking  lubber,  one  of  them  scull-dragged 
him  into  the  forecastle. 

For  three  days  Bigamini  remained  in  one  corner  of  the 
forecastle,  subsisting  on  the  scraps  of  biscuit  and  beef  that 
were  occasionally  thrown  him,  accompanied  by  a  curse. 

Be  it  understood  that  neither  Captain  Hughes  nor  his  men 
were  naturally  cruel,  and  if  Bigamini  had  been  able  to  tell 
"  a  plain,  unvarnished  tale  "  when  they  first  found  him,  he 
would  have  fared  much  better. 

But  the  sailors  knew  him  to  be  a  liar,  and  his  own  tale  had 
caused  him  to  be  suspected  of  scuttling  the  vessel  he  said 
he  had  embarked  in. 

"  That  fellow  will  bring  bad  luck  to  the  '  Cato,' "  said  a 
bushy-whiskered  tar  to  his  messmate. 

So  great  was  the  dislike  to  Bigamini  that  it  required  all 
Captain  Hughes's  authority  to  keep  the  crew  from  turning 
him  into  his  boat  again  and  setting  him  adrift,  a  project  which 
found  great  favour  among  the  tars,  and  was  only  prevented 
by  a  promise  that  the  obnoxious  one  should  be  handed  over 
to  the  legal  authorities  on  reaching  Brazil. 

For  the  three  days  Bigamini  remained  in  the  forecastle,  he 
was  only  able  to  crawl  about  on  his  hands  and  knees,  the  cut 
on  his  ankle  being  very  painful,  and  so  offensive  from  neglect 
and  filth  that  the  sailors  strongly  objected  to  his  remain- 
ing. 

The  cook — more  by  way  of  a  joke  than  any  thing 


JA  CK  HA  RKA  WA  Y  A  MONG  THE  BRIG  A  NDS.       271 

advised  Bigamini  to  wash  it  with  some  strong  brine  from  the 
bottom  of  one  of  the  beef  casks. 

He  consented  to  do  so. 

"  Oh,  crikey,  oh  !  "  he  shouted,  as  the  strong  salt  found  its 
way  into  the  festering  wound  ;  and  to  the  intense  delight  of 
the  sailors,  he  hopped  about  like  a  bear  on  hot  bricks. 

After  a  little  time,  however,  one  of  them,  who  happened  to 
be  tender-hearted  in  comparison  with  the  others,  gave  the 
poor  wretch  a  bit  of  tallow  and  some  rag  to  dress  the 
wound  with. 

And  in  a  couple  of  days  Bigamini  was  so  far  cured  as  to  be 
able  to  hobble  about  the  deck  ;  but  in  himself  he  bitterly 
swore  vengeance  against  his  persecutors. 

Nothing  could  possibly  make  a  sailor  of  the  brigand's  spy, 
so  Bigamini  was  handed  over  to  the  cook  and  steward  to  be 
a  kind  of  cabin-boy  (full  grown)  and  general  drudge,  to  the 
great  delight  of  the  stripling  who  had  formerly  performed 
those  duties,  but  who  now  went  forward  to  do  the  work  of  an 
ordinary  seaman. 

The  "  Cato  "  did  not  as  a  rule  carry  passengers,  but  at  the 
time  Bigamini  was  picked  up,  there  were  five  on  board,  two 
ladies  and  three  gentlemen. 

Of  four  of  the  passengers  nothing  particular  need  be  said, 
but  the  fifth,  a  Mr.  Corrie,  was  noted  for  his  enthusiastic  pur- 
suit of  all  kinds  of  specimens  for  his  cabinet  of  natural  history. 

All  was  fish  that  came  to  his  net,  and  the  most  insignificant 
of  marine  animals  was  pretty  sure  to  be  acceptable  to  him. 

They  had  been  five  weeks  at  sea  without  any  more  impor- 
tant event  than  the  finding  of  Bigamini,  and  were  now  in  calm 
tropical  seas,  when  Mr.  Corrie,  for  the  first  time  in  his  life, 
saw  a  flock  of  Mother  Carey's  chickens,  and  immediately 
wished  the  captain  to  shoot  one. 

Captain  Hughes,  without  being  superstitious  himself,  knew 
the  crew  would  object,  so  he  refused,  and  Mr.  Corrie 
grumbled. 

"  What's  the  matter,  sir  ?  "  asked  Bigamini,  touching  his 
hat. 

"  Why,  I  want  one  of  those  birds,  and  Captain  Hughes 
will  not  shoot  it." 

"  Never  mind,  sir  ;  if  you  can  get  hold  of  a  gun,  I'll  drop 
the  birds.  Don't  say  any  thing,  sir,  but  bring  up  a  gun  next 
time  you  come  on  deck." 

Mr.  Corrie  agreed  to  do  so,  and  the  consequence  was  that, 


272      JACK  HARKA  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

an  hour  afterwards,  Captain  Hughes  was  startled  by  the  re- 
port of  a  gun,  and  rushing  on  deck,  followed  by  the  mate  and 
some  of  the  crew,  at  once  saw  what  had  happened. 

Captain  Hughes  himself  was  superior  to  superstitious 
fears,  but  he  was  angry  to  think  that  a  thing  he  strongly  ob- 
jected to  had  been  done. 

With  one  blow  of  his  fist  he  stretched  Bigamini  on  the 
deck,  and  then  retired  below,  muttering  anything  but  good 
wishes  about  naturalists  and  such-like  scientific  enthusiasts. 

"  That's  very  strange,"  said  Mr.  Corrie,  looking  down  on 
the  prostrate  Bigamini. 

Then  turning  to  the  mate,  he  added — 

"  Will  you  have  the  kindness,  sir,  to  let  ddwn  the  boat  to 
pick  up  the  birds  ?  " 

"  On  one  condition,"  replied  the  mate. 

"  What  condition  is  that,  sir  ?  " 

"  That  you  go  off  in  the  boat  and  never  more  set  foot  on 
this  ship." 

"  Bless  my  soul !  "  ejaculated  the  naturalist,  "  all  this  fuss 
about  a  few  trumpery  birds." 

"Those  birds,  sir,  have  a  good  deal  to  do  with  sailors. 
This  is  a  very  serious  business,  Mr.  Corrie,  and  I  can  as- 
sure you  we  have  not  seen  the  last  of  it." 

The  mate  then  went  forward  to  converse  with  the  crew, 
and  Mr.  Corrie  thought  it  best  to  go  below. 

As  for  Bigamini,  he  gathered  himself  up  and  slunk  into 
the  saloon,  muttering  deep  vengeance. 

"  I've  been  struck  and  hit  and  served  out  with  brine,  and 
I'm  blest  if  I  don't  make  some  of  them  suffer." 

He  coiled  himself  up  in  a  corner,  and  began  to  brood  over 
his  plans. 

"  They're  all  against  me,"  he  muttered,  rubbing  his 
eye,  which  began  to  show  the  discolouring  effects  of  the 
captain's  fist ;  "  but  I'm  blest  if  they  don't  get  it  hot  before 
long." 

All  that  day  he  sulked  about,  pondering  how  he  could 
achieve  his  proposed  vengeance. 

But  no  opportunity  seemed  to  present  itself. 

Next  morning  he  heard — soon  after  breakfast — a  slight 
commotion  among  the  sailors  on  deck. 

Being  always  inquisitive,  Bigamini  rushed  up  to  see  what 
was  the  matter. 

Hs  found  the  sailors  congregated  about  the  after  part  of 


JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.       273 

the  deck,  watching  the  motions  of  some  monsters  of  the  deep, 
who  were  leaping  about  in  pursuit  of  a  number  of  flying  fish. 

"  Dolphins,"  said  one  of  them,  condescending  to  explain 
to  the  lubber,  as  they  all  styled  Bigamini. 

"  Are  they  good  to  eat  ? "  he  asked. 

"  I  believe  you." 

And  in  proof  of  that,  he  pointed  to  the  preparations  the 
men  were  making  to  capture  one  or  more  of  the  fish. 

But  at  that  moment,  the  steward  shouted  for  the  ex-spy, 
who  was  obliged  to  go  forward  and  prepare  the  coffee  for 
the  men's  breakfast. 

That  done,  Bigamini  had  to  work  hard  to  get  things  ready 
for  the  passengers,  so  he  was  unable  to  see  the  sport  of  catch- 
ing the  dolphin,  though,  as  he  soon  heard,  he  would  have  to 
cook  it  for  dinner. 

"  Now  then,  down  below  with  you,  and  sort  out  those 
stores,"  said  the  steward,  quickening  the  movements  of  his 
drudge  with  his  foot. 

"  All  right,"  growled  Bigamini,  as  he  slouched  away. 

"  I  wish  the  stores  would  poison  'em,"  he  said,  as  he 
commenced  his  task. 

It  was  a  dirty,  disagreeable  job,  in  a  close,  confined  atmos- 
phere, and  did  not  suit  Bigamini  very  much. 

However,  he  had  to  do  it,  so  in  no  very  agreeable  frame 
of  rnind  he  set  to  work. 

"  What's  this  ? "  he  exclaimed  to  himself,  when  he  presently 
came  across  a  packet  weighing  two  or  three  pounds. 

He  stripped  off  the  outer  covering,  and  a  fiendish  smile 
played  upon  his  features  as  he  read  two  words  printed  on  a 
label  upon  the  inner  paper. 

"  This  will  do,"  he  grinned ;  and  he  soon  finished  his  task. 

Reporting  this  to  the  steward,  Bigamini  was  ordered,  as 
he  expected,  to  go  and  assist  the  cook  in  preparing  dinner 
for  passengers  and  crew. 

The  cook  being  drunk — the  dolphin-catching  had  excited 
him  early  in  the  morning — Bigamini  was  obliged  to  do  nearly 
all  the  cooking  himself. 

Strange  to  say,  he  did  not  grumble,  as  was  his  usual  cus- 
tom when  burdened  with  about  half  as  much  labour  as  fell 
to  every  other  man  on  board  the  ship. 

He  whistled  and  laughed  to  such  an  extent  that  many 
of  the  men  relented,  and  felt  sorry  they  had  ever  struck  and 
abused  the  spy. 
18 


274      JACK  HARKA  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

Dinner  time  came. 

The  weather  was  warm,  and  the  sea  so  calm  that  the  ship 
made  scarcely  any  way. 

The  jolly  sailors  had  little  to  do. 

Laughing  and  skylarking  occupied  the  greater  part  of  the 
morning. 

But  at  noon  they  all  sat  down  to  a  substantial  dinner. 

The  dolphin  had  not  been  cooked,  for  Bigamini  pleaded 
ignorance  of  the  manner  in  which  fish  should  be  dressed. 

But  there  was  a  very  substantial  "  plum  duff,"  of  which 
all  partook. 

All — captain,  crew  and  passengers. 

Except  Bigamini,  who  slyly  threw  his  portion  overboard. 

Dinner  being  over,  the  captain  called  for  one  of  the  crew 
who  was  a  tolerably  proficient  fiddler,  and  proposed  a 
/dance. 

But  ere  this  could  be  done  the  mate  came  in  with  a  very 
scared  look  upon  him. 

"  What  is  the  matter  ?  "  demanded  Captain  Hughes. 

"  The  helmsman  has  dropped  down  dead,  sir,  and  three 
other  men,  including  Jones,  the  fiddler,  are  as  ill  as  they  can 
be." 

On  hearing  this,  the  captain  turned  as  pale  as  his  mate, 
and  rushed  on  deck. 

The  passengers  hardly  knew  what  to  make  of  this. 

Our  friend,  the  enthusiastic  naturalist,  attempted  to  joke 
about  it,  and  followed  the  captain,  who,  however,  was  in  no 
humour  for  joking. 

Neither  captain  nor  naturalist  returned  any  more  to  the 
cabin,  for  in  a  few  minutes  both  were  seized  with  the  same 
illness  that  had  already  so  rapidly  removed  no  less  than 
four  of  the  crew. 

"  We  are  poisoned  !  "  exclaimed  the  mate. 

"  Poisoned  !  " 

The  terrible  word  flew  through  the  ship. 

"  Where  is  the  cook  ? "  was  the  next  question. 

The  cook  was  brought  forward. 

He  was  in  a  state  of  maudlin  drunkenness,  but  otherwise 
exhibited  no  symptoms  of  any  thing  like  illness. 

"What  have  you  done  with  us  ?  "  demanded  the  mate,  in 
hollow  tones. 

"  Done  ? — nothing,"  stammered  the  man. 

"We  are  poisoned." 


JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.       275 

"  Then  it  must  have  been  that  vagabond  the  captain  picked 
up." 

"  Search  for  him,"  said  the  mate. 

A  search  being  instituted,  Bigamini  was  discovered  in  the 
forecastle,  apparently  in  the  last  agonies  of  death. 

"  It  couldn't  have  been  that  fellow  ;  he  wouldn't  poison 
himself.  It  must  be  you,  for  you  alone  are  unhurt  by  the 
fatal  stuff.  I  feel  it." 

"  It  is  a  mistake,"-  protested  the  cook  ;  "  why  should  I 
poison  you  ?  " 

But  the  mate  and  his  men,  who  were  fast  succumbing  to 
the  effects  of  the  poison,  were  not  capable  of  reasoning  very 
coherently. 

"  Overboard  with  the  murderer  !  He  shall  not  triumph," 
said  the  officer. 

Half  a  dozen  willing  hands  seized  the  unfortunate  cook 
and  hurled  him  over  the  side — a  meal  for  the  sharks,  who 
now  sported  about  the  vessel. 

The  prognostications  of  the  sailors  had  been  fulfilled, 
though  we  still  take  the  liberty  of  doubting  whether  the  death 

of  the  two  birds  had  any  thing  to  do  with  it. 

****** 

Let  us  close  this  painful  scene  as  quickly  as  we  possibly 
can. 

Two  hours  after  that  deathly  dinner,  all  was  silent  on  board 
the  fated  ship. 

Silence,  deep  as  the  grave,  till  the  villain,  Bigamini,  rose 
from  the  corner  where  he  had  been  pretending  to  die,  and 
gloated  like  a  fiend  over  the  work  he  had  done,  for  he  it  was 
who  had  poisoned  the  whole  ship's  company  with  the  packet 
of  arsenic  he  had  found  among  the  stores. 

He  laughed  like  a  fiend  as  he  ransacked  the  vessel  and 
transferred  all  the  coin  he  could  find  to  his  own  pocket. 

But  in  the  midst  of  his  exultation  a  pain  shot  through 
him,  and  he  had  to  cease  from  his  work  to  sit  down  amongst 
the  pale  corpses  which  strewed  the  deck. 

Half-an-hour  afterward  she  was  in  a  raging  fever  and 
delirious. 

And  he  was  the  only  living  being  on  board  that  fated  ves- 
sel, which  drifted  away  on  the  ocean,  with  no  hand  to  guide 
the  helm. 

Faugh  !     Let  us  leave  the  wretch  to  his  fate. 


276      JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 
CHAPTER  LXXXIV. 

BREAKERS  AHEAD— THE  BRIGAND'S  AVENGER. 

THERE  was  one  man  in  the  gay  rollicking  crowd  at  the 
execution  of  Barboni,  who  was  profoundly  affected  at  the 
painful  arid  ghastly  scene. 

All  the  rest  of  the  spectators  seemed  to  look  upon  it  as  a 
holiday. 

To  them  it  was  a  carnival. 

They  were  not  impressed  at  the  tragedy  which  involved  the 
shameful  death  of  a  fellow-creature. 

The  scaffold  was  a  stage,  and  they  were  witnessing  a  per- 
formance. 

Even  the  lazzaroni  basked  in  the  sun,  and  laughed  lightly. 

This  old  man,  however,  was  a  striking  contrast  to  the 
others. 

He  was  thin  and  wrinkled,  his  back  was  bent,  his  eyes 
had  lost  their  lustre,  and  his  hair  and  beard  were  grey. 

Tears  ran  down  his  furrowed  cheeks,  his  lips  quivered, 
and  he  clenched  his  hands  as  if  in  agony. 

By  his  side  was  a  middle-aged  man,  who,  as  the  spectators 
began  to  move  away,  noticed  his  grief. 

Either  he  took  compassion  on  him  or  was  curious  to  know 
t,he  cause  of  it. 

The  old  man  was  poorly  clad,  and  though,  not  exactly 
looking  like  a  beggar,  was  evidently  in  bad  circumstances. 

Slipping  a  scudi  into  his  hand,  he  said,  "Take  this  alms ; 
I  am  Adriano,  the  baker,  and  keep  a  shop  at  the  left-hand 
corner  of  the  Plaza." 

'  Many  thanks,"  was  the  reply. 

'  If  you  want  bread,  come  to  me  and  I  will  give  it  to  you." 

'  It  is  not  bread  I  require." 

1  What,  then  ? " 

'  Revenge  !  "  hissed  the  old  man. 

'  Ha !     What  for  ?     Who  are  you  ?  "  inquired  the  baker. 

'  You  may  know.  I  am  Guiseppe  Barboni,  brother  of  the 
famous  brigand." 

'  He  who  has  just  been  launched  into  eternity?" 

'  The  same,  signer." 


JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS^       $77 

At  this  declaration,  the  baker  regarded  him  with  supreme 
astonishment. 

"  That  is  why  you  weep  ? "  he  said. 

"  Would  not  you  under  the  same  circumstances  ?  " 

They  neither  of  them  noticed  a  man  who  stood  close  be- 
hind them. 

He  was  dressed  as  an  ordinary  civilian  ;  his  eyes  were  like 
those  of  a  hawk  ;  his  nose  was  a  parrot's  beak,  and  generally 
he  was  ugly,  but  apparently  shrewd. 

This  personage  was  Arentino,  a  sergeant  of  the  Neapolitan 
detective  police. 

He  eagerly  drank  in  every  word  that  was  uttered. 

It  was  his  business  to  be  a  spy,  and  it  was  agreeable  to 
his  crafty  nature. 

People  said  that  Arentino  knew  every  rogue  in  Naples  by 
sight. 

He  certainly  had  a  wonderful  recollection  for  faces. 

"  My  friend,"  continued  the  baker,  who  was  kind-heartedj 
and  without  any  prejudice,  "  I  pity  you." 

"  Again  I  thank  you,"  replied  Guiseppe  Barboni. 

"  Were  you  one  of  your  brother's  band  ?     If  so,  be  careful." 

"  No — I  never  was  associated  with  him  ;  but  you  should 
hear  all." 

"  If  it  is  a  secret " 

"  Bah  !  my  story  is  well  known.  Twenty  years  ago  I  was 
a  clerk  in  a  bank.  I  had  an  enemy.  The  man  swore  I  stole 
money.  It  was  a  lie.  I  was  arrested.  They  got  up  false 
evidence  against  me.  A  conviction  followed." 

"And  you?" 

"  For  twenty  years  I  have  been  an  inmate  of  a  prison.  It 
was  only  this  morning  that  my  sentence  expired,  and  I  was 
liberated." 

"  How  came  you  here  ?"  asked  Adriano. 

"  I  saw  people  thronging  to  the  Plaza.  They  talked  of  an 
execution.  I  joined  the  crowd,  To  my  horror  I  saw  my 
brother  ascend  the  scaffold.  You  ask  me  why  I  weep  ?  " 

"  Those  tears  are  sacred." 

"  Not  so.  I  have  a  vulture  gnawing  at  my  heart.  Do 
you  know  it's  name  ?  '* 

"How  can  I  tell?" 

"  It  is  revenge.  I  have  nothing  to  live  for,  except  that 
Yes,  I  will  avenge  my  brother." 

"On  whom ? " 


278      JA  CK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

"Upon  those  who  hunted  him  to  his  doom,"  answered 
Guiseppe  Barboni.  "  I  keep  my  ears  open  ;  the  people  near 
me  have  been  talking." 

"  What  did  they  say  ? " 

"  That  Barboni,  the  brigand,  was  betrayed  by  an  English- 
man, named  Harkaway,  who  was  his  enemy.  Had  it  not 
been  for  Harkaway,  he  would  have  escaped  to  a  foreign  land." 

"  Yes,  that  is  true.  I  have  read  it  in  the  papers,"  replied 
Adriano  simply. 

"  Why  did  he  interfere  in  my  poor  brother's  affairs  ?  When 
I  was  in  trouble,  my  brother  was  kind  to  me.  He  spent 
money,  exerted  himself,  moved  heaven  and  earth  to  get  me 
acquitted.  I  can  not  forget  him." 

"This  Harkaway  has  been  hunting  Barboni  for  months. 
Truly,  he  owes  his  death  to  him  and  his  friends." 

"They  shall  pay  dearly  for  it,"  said  Guiseppe,  bitterly. 

It  was,  indeed,  a  shock  to  the  man. 

He  had  only  that  morning  been  liberated  from  prison,  after 
twenty  long,  weary  years  of  incarceration. 

It  had  been  his  ardent  hope  that  his  brother  would  hold 
out  his  hand  to  him. 

He  expected  to  find  his  house  and  purse  open  to  him. 

Barboni  was  Guiseppe's  only  friend. 

•    For  years  he  had  been  the  rock  on  which  he  had  built  his 
aspirations,  and  now  he  was  dead. 

Innocently,  unknowingly,  he  had  wandered  into  the  Plaza, 
to  see  him  hanged. 

The  harrowing  spectacle  had  completely  broken  his  heart. 

He  had  lost  all  sympathy  with  the  world,  and  become  a 
tiger  raging  for  blood. 

It  set  his  brain  on  fire,  and  maddened  him. 

No  longer  was  he  a  rational  human  being,  in  touch  with 
his  fellow-man. 

"  Can  you  tell  me  more  ? "  he  asked.  "  Where  does  this 
Inglise  Harkaway  live  ? " 

"  I  have  seen  his  address  in  the  papers.     His Let 

me  think." 

The  baker  tapped  his  forehead. 

"  Ah  !  I  have  it,"  he  continued,  after  a  slight  pause.  "  It 
is  the  Strada  di  Toledo." 

"  It  shall  be  engraven  on  my  mind.  Revenge  shall  dog 
the  footsteps  of  Harkaway." 

**  From  my  heart  I  pity  you,"  said  Adriano.     "  I  am  a 


JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.       279 

good  Christian.  What  do  I  go  to  Mass  for,  and  give  to  the 
poor  ?  Come,  I  will  show  you  what  I  am  made  of.  You 
shall  go  home  with  me  for  a  day  or  two." 

"With  you?" 

Guiseppe  regarded  him  with  amazement. 

He  could  hardly  believe  the  evidence  of  his  senses. 

"  Why  not  ?  "  replied  the  baker. 

"  But  I  am  a  convict." 

"  You  tell  me  you  were  innocent  of  the  crime  imputed  to 
you  ? " 

"  As  Holy  Mary  hears  me,  that  is  true." 

"  I  believe  you.     Have  you  not  been  punished  ? " 

Guiseppe  drew  his  breath  quickly. 

A  shudder  convulsed  his  attenuated  frame. 

"  Heaven,"  he  exclaimed,  "  only  knows — and  I — the  unut- 
terable horror  of  those  twenty  years  ?  " 

"  You  shall  have  food  and  wine.     I  will  take  care  of  you, 
and  perhaps  you  will  get  over  this  craze  for  vengeance." 

"Never!" 

"  But  it  is  bad  to  hate.     The  priests  say  so." 

"  You  do  well  to  call  it  a  craze.    I  am  mad  ;  but  you  know 
I  have  seen  my  brother  hanged  after  twenty  years'  slavery." 

"  All  the  more  reason  why  you  should  be  taken  care  of. 
Come  with  me,  I  say,"  persisted  the  good  baker. 

"  I  am  not  fit  to  be  in  your  house." 

"  That  is  my  affair." 

"  Well,  I   will  go.     Just  a  meal,  and  a  glass  of  wine  to 
strengthen  me,  for  I  totter ;  and  then " 

He  paused  abruptly. 

"Well,  what  then  ?     I  will  not  let  you  go  out  alone  just 
yet,  my  friend." 

"  No  one  can  keep  me  away  from  this  Englishman.  Revenge 
— revenge — for  my  brother  Barboni's  death  !  " 

"  Will  you  come  ? " 

"  Yes,  for  a  space,  but  it  is  not  for  you  to  turn  aside  the 
tide  of  vengeance." 

Saying  this,  Guiseppe  Barboni  suffered  himself  to  be  led 
away  by  the  baker,  Adriano. 

They  crossed  the  now  nearly  deserted  Plaza  in  the  direc- 
tion of  the  bread  shop. 

The  body  of  the  brigand  had  not  yet  been  cut  down. 

It  swung  on  the  gallows,  in  the  breeze  coming  up  from  the 
sea  grim  and  ghastly. 


zSo      JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

Arentino,  the  detective,  smiled. 

Watching  the  two  until  they  disappeared  in  the  bakery,  he 
turned  on  his  heel  and  also  walked  away. 
There  was  a  deep  meaning  in  his  face. 


CHAPTER  LXXXV. 

EMILY   IS   TAKEN    ILL — MOLE   AND   THE   PERFORMING     BEAR — • 
JACK    HARKAWAY   RECEIVES   A   TIMELY   WARNING. 

WHEN  Jack  Harkaway  returned  from  the  execution,  he 
flattered  himself  that  all  his  troubles  were  over. 

In  this  belief  he  was  sadly  mistaken. 

Certainly,  Hunston  had  escaped,  with  his  usual  skill,  and 
there  was  no  telling  where  he  might  turn  up  next. 

But  for  the  present  he  was  gone,  and  if  he  did  meet  him 
again,  Jack  was  ready  to  fight  him. 

We  repeat  that  he  did  not  care  for  Hunston,  yet  there  were 
other  dangers  to  be  encountered. 

It  was  Jack's  intention  to  return  to  England,  after  a  few 
days'  rest  in  Naples. 

During  his  long  stay  in  the  city,  he  had  not  been  able  to 
spare  time  to  see  all  its  beauties  and  attractions. 

It  was  his  intention  to  hire  a  steam  launch,  and  take  Emily 
to  the  famous  grotto  of  Capri. 

He  also  contemplated  an  ascent  of  Mount  Vesuvius,  and  a 
lunch  at  the  edge  of  the  crater,  which  was  now  silent. 

A  disappointment  awaited  him,  however,  directly  he  reached 
his  home  in  the  Strada  di  Toledo. 

Monday,  Harvey  and  Mole  had  witnessed  the  execution, 
and  had  come  back  before  their  leader. 

They  went  into  the  garden,  to  talk  over  their  affairs,  and 
comment  on  the  chequered  career  of  the  brigand  chief. 

As  Jack  walked  into  the  house,  he  was  met  by  his  son, 
whose  face  wore  an  anxious  expression. 

"  Well,  my  little  man  ! "  exclaimed  his  father,  "  what's  the 
matter  with  you?" 

"  Mamma  is  not  well,"  replied  the  boy. 

"  Where  is  your  mother  ? " 

"  In  the  drawing-room,  with  Hilda." 

Jack  hastened  to  the  apartment,  slightly  alarmed. 


JA  CK  HARKA  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIG  A  HDS.        281 

He  had  heard  that  a  fever  had  broken  out  in  Naples. 

It  was  becoming  epidemic,  and  some  of  the  best  familes 
l.<id  already  left  for  healthier  parts. 

This  kind  of  fever  was  well  known  and  dreaded  in  all  Italian 
cities,  including  Rome  and  Florence. 

Could  it  be  possible  that  Mrs.  Harkaway  had  fallen  a  vic- 
tim to  its  malignant  influence  ? 

Jack  found  his  wife  lying  on  the  sofa,  her  face  was  flushed  ; 

Hilda  was  bathing  her  forehead  with  eau  de  Cologne  and 
fanning  her. 

"  You  are  not  ill,  surely,"  exclaimed  Jack. 

"  Not  exactly  ill — hot  and  feverish  and  so  tired,  dear," 
Emily  replied.  "  I  feel  as  if  it  would  be  too  much  exertion  to 
walk  across  the  room." 

"  Have  you  been  exciting  yourself  about  the  execution  ? " 

"  It  has  been  on  my  mind.  I  was  glad  the  wretch  had  met 
his  deserts.  He  has  been  such  a  curse  to  us.  The  suspense 
and  worry  of  these  last  few  months  have  told  on  me." 

"  She  has  talked  of  nothing  but  Barboni's  fate  all  the  morn- 
ing," observed  Hilda. 

"  Try  and  go  to  sleep,"  said  Jack.     "  You  want  rest." 

"  I  think  I  will  go  to  bed.  My  head  is  dizzy,"  replied 
Emily. 

"  Shall  I  fetch  a  doctor  ? " 

"  Not  yet.  I  may  get  better  in  a  few  hours.  If  I  am  not 
better  to-morrow,  I  will  have  medical  advice." 

"  Perhaps  it  will  be  best  to  wait ;  let  me  carry  you  up  stairs." 

"  I  can  walk,  I  think,  Jack  dear." 

She  got  up,  and  endeavoured  to  cross  the  room,  but  before 
she  had  taken  half-a-dozen  steps  she  stumbled,  and  would 
have  fallen,  had  not  her  husband  caught  her  in  his  arms. 

He  lifted  her  up,  and  carried  her  as  if  she  had  been  a  child. 

"Stay  with  the  boy,  Hilda,"  he  said.  "I  will  look  after 
my  wife  ;  there  is  nothing  for  me  to  do  out  of  doors  ;  when  I 
want  you  I  will  send  for  you." 

"  If  I  can  be  of  any  assistance "  began  Hilda. 

"  Not  at  present,"  Jack  interrupted.  "  I  fancy  I  shall  be 
the  best  nurse,  for  a  while." 

"  You  know  best.     I  shall  not  be  far  off." 

"  Keep  young  Master  Jack  quiet ;  we  must  not  have  too 
much  noise.  Emily  will  most  likely  be  all  right  after  a  rest." 

He  conveyed  his  wife,  who  was  pale  as  a  lily,  and  as  help- 
less as  a  baby,  to  her  bedroom,  and  laid  her  on  the  bed. 


282      JACK  HARKAWAY  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

11  Stay  by  my  side,  Jack,"  said  Emily,  feebly.  "  I  feel  I 
want  you  with  me — nobody  else." 

"  I  am  going  to  stay,  my  own,"  he  answered.  "  Put  your 
little  hand  in  mine — so.  How  hot  it  is  1  Would  you  like 
some  ice  ?  " 

"Presently.  I  want  to  sleep  now.  Everything  seems 
black  to  me.  Is  it  night  ? " 

"  No,  my  love.     It  is  about  midday." 

"  Don't  go  away.     I  want  you." 

Her  eyes  closed,  her  breathing  became  faint,  and  she  fell 
asleep,  Jack  sitting  in  a  chair  by  her  side. 

For  two  hours  he  remained  patiently  in  the  room. 

Seeing  that  he  could  do  her  no  good  by  staying  any  longer, 
he  left  the  room,  and  sent  up  Hilda  to  take  his  place. 

He  wanted  to  speak  to  Harvey  about  this  sudden  attack  of 
illness,  and  seek  his  advice. 

On  making  inquiries,  one  of  the  servants  informed  him  that 
Harvey  had  gone  out,  leaving  word  that  he  intended  to  sail 
in  the  bay. 

He  saw  that  Mr.  Mole  was  seated  in  the  garden  under  a 
shady  tree,  engaged  in  the  pleasant  pastime  of  eating  grapes, 
and  drinking  the  wine  of  the  country,  called  Chiaschi. 

Two  empty  flagons  were  on  the  grass ;  a  third  was  on  the 
table  in  front  of  him,  flanked  by  a  dish  of  fine  ripe  grapes. 

Jack  walked  out  to  him. 

"  Ha  !  my  boy,"  exclaimed  the  professor,  "  you  are  just  in 
time  to  have  some  fruits.  Sit  down." 

"  Thank  you,"  replied  Jack.  "  I  will  keep  you  company, 
but  I  prefer  to  smoke." 

"  Selfish  habit.  Sir  Walter  Raleigh  has  much  to  answer 
for  in  bringing  the  nicotine  weed  from  America  to  this  coun- 
try." 

"  Why  so,  sir  ?     It  is  a  solace  to  the  nerves." 

"  It  makes  a  man  retire  into  himself,  and  love  his  own 
society.  Lord  Beaconsfield  declared  that  it  was  the  tomb  of 
love.  A  cigar  kills  kisses,  and  speaking  from  experience,  I 
say  that  a  man  who  smokes  becomes  intoxicated  twice  as  soon 
as  one  who  does  not.  In  fact,  after  a  man  passes  forty,  he 
can  not  smoke  and  drink,  too." 

Jack  smiled  at  this  characteristic  speech. 

"  Much  obliged  for  the  little  lecture,"  he  said.  "  I  take  you 
tis  an  authority  on  the  subject ;  but  at  the  same  time,  I  shall 
not  give  yp  smoking  in  moderation." 


JACK  HARK  A  IVA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.    283 

"  You  seem  to  have  a  cloud  upon  your  brow,"  observed 
the  professor. 

"  I  am  worried  about  Emily  ;  she  has  been  taken  ill  sud- 
denly." 

"  Indeed  !  I  fancied  at  breakfast-time  this  morning  she  was 
not  looking  well." 

"  The  marsh  fever  is  about.     I  am  anxious." 

"  Perhaps  it  will  pass  over.  We  have  been  through  trials 
that  tax  a  man's  strength,  as  well  as  a  woman's." 

"  Ah,"  sighed  Jack,  "  you  may  well  say  that." 

"  I  had  hoped  the  troubles  were  all  over,"  continued  Mr. 
Mole,  "  and  that  we  were  about  to  return  to  England,  where- 
in rural  seclusion,  you  could  hunt  the  fox,  shoot  game,  and 
enjoy  yourself  generally  as  a  country  gentleman." 

"And  you,  sir,  could  teach  the  young  idea  how  to  shoot." 

"  Certainly.  I  educated  you,  taught  you  all  you  know — 
which  isn't  much,  I  admit." 

"  Now,  Mr.  Mole— 

"  It  was  not  my  fault.  You  can  bring  ahorse  to  the  water, 
but  I'll  be  hanged,  like  Barboni  was  this  morning,  if  you  can 
make  him  drink." 

"  You  shall  be  my  son's  tutor." 

"  Of  course.  I  should  like  to  see  you  send  him  away  from 
me !  It  shall  be  my  pride  to  make  a  man  of  him.  Have 
some  of  this  fruit." 

"  You  have  only  enough  for  yourself." 

"  Bah  !  "  said  the  professor,  "  there  is  more  where  these 
came  from.  This  is  the  land  of  grapes." 

"  All  the  same,  they  don't  grow  in  this  garden." 

"  I  have  sent  Monday  out  for  a  fresh  supply.  Ha !  here 
the  imp  of  darkness  comes,  with  a  basket  on  his  arm. 
Good  old  Monday !  he's  a  fine  fellow,  when  you  rub  him  the 
right  way." 

"  When  you  don't " 

"  He's  a  demon,  Harkaway ;  but  then  we  must  make  al- 
lowance for  him.  He's  got  black  blood  in  his  veins." 

"  Does  that  give  him  a  double  portion  of  original  sin  ? " 

"  Treble,  I  should  say.  The  other  day  I  ruffled  his  feathers, 
and  he  cried,  '  Got  a  razor  in  my  boot,  sah.  Cut  you  deep, 
cut  you  quick  ! ' ' 

"  I  daresay  you  offended  him,"  replied  Jack. 

"  Nothing  much  ;  I  only  threw  an  empty  wine  bottle  at  him." 

"  Enough  to  get  his  monkey  up." 


284      JACK  HARKAWAY  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

"  There's  a  little  too  much  of  the  monkey  about  him  some 
times,  and  I  have  to  take  him  down  a  peg  or  two,"  said  Mole. 

"  You'd  best  not  let  him  hear  you  say  so." 

"  Pooh  !  who's  afraid?     I  don't  care  a  snap  for  niggers.'' 

Jack  saw  that  the  w>ne  was  getting  into  Mr.  Mole's  head, 
and  refrained  from  saying  any  more. 

Putting  the  grapes  on  the  crystal  dish  which  stood  en  the 
table,  Monday  made  a  mock  bow. 

"  There  am  the  grapes,  Mast'  Mole,"  he  said.  "  What 
you  going  to  give  me  for  fetching  them  ?  " 

"  You  wouldn't  like  to  get  what  you  deserve." 

"  What  um  that,  sare  ? " 

"  A  smack  on  the  side  of  the  head,  you  black  spot  on 
humanity." 

"  That  nice  thing  to  say  to  um  man." 

"  You've  been  gone  half  an  hour,  when  ten  minutes  would 
have  sufficed." 

"  I  stop  to  see  a  performing  bear." 

"  Oh  !  did  you  ?  That's  another  thing.  I  am  very  fond  of 
well-trained  animals.  Where  is  he  ?  " 

"  Outside  um  door." 

"  What  does  he  do  ? "  asked  the  professor. 

"  Stand  on  um  hind  legs,  play  a  tambourine  like  a  Salva- 
tion Army  lassie  in  um  hallelujah  chorus,  and " 

"  Go  on,"  interrupted  Mole,  "  perhaps  you  will  tell  me  that 
he  sings  the  '  Sweet  bye-and-bye,'  or  '  Shall  we  gather  at  the 
river?'  or  '  Darling  I  am  growing  old.' " 

"  You  growing  jolly  old,  and  silly,  too." 

"  Monday  !  How  often  have  I  cautioned  you  not  to  be 
rude  ? " 

"  Keep  still,  then.  You  is  always  on  to  me.  Bash  um 
head  with  a  wine  bottle  other  day." 

"  Serve  you  right.     I'll  do  it  again." 

"  Not  much,  you  won't.    Cut  you  deep  with  um  razor,  sare." 

Monday  stooped  down,  and  pulled  out  a  razor,  which  he 
had  concealed  in  his  boot. 

The  professor  fell  back  in  his  chair. 

He  put  up  his  hands  deprecatingly. 

"  For  heaven's  sake,  don't  lark  with  things  like  that,"  he 
said. 

"  Shut  um  mouth,  then,"  replied  Monday. 

"  Oh,  dear  I  What  I  have  to  put  up  with  from  this  black 
man ! " 


JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.      285 

"  Black  as  good  as  white,  so  long  as  he  behaves  himself." 

"  That's  right  enough  !  "  exclaimed  Jack  ;  "but,  I  say,  stov» 
that  razor  away." 

"  Tell  Mast'  Mole  to  let  me  alone,  sare." 

"  He  won't  annoy  you  any  more." 

Monday  returned  the  razor  to  its  receptacle. 

He  was  satisfied  with  what  he  had  done. 

The  mere  sight  of  it  had  completely  cowed  Mr.  Mole. 

"  Come,"  said  the  latter,  gaily,  as  he  helped  himself  to 
some  more  wine ;  "  let  us  be  merry.  What  does  Horace 
say  ?  " 

"  Lots  of  things,  sir,"  answered  Jack. 

"  Name  one,  if  your  memory  serves  you." 

"'That  an  old  man  should  not  play  the  fool.'" 

"  Wrong  !  I  know  my  Horace  by  heart,  and  that  passage 
does  not  occur.  He  rather  inclines  to  the  contrary.  Mon- 
day!" 

"  What  um  want  now,  sare  ?  This  child  going  to  pitch  on 
the  grass,  and  have  um  sleep." 

"  Not  yet." 

"  Who's  going  to  stop  me  ?  Not  you,  or  all  the  masters  of 
houses  at  Oxford." 

"Just  be  good  enough  to  go  outside  and  bring  that  per- 
forming bear  and  his  master  in  here.  Tell  him  he  shall  have 
half-a-dozen  lire  for  his  trouble.  I  can't  afford  more." 

"  All  right,  sare,"  replied  Monday ;  "  but  better  look  out." 

"  What  for,  my  man  ?  " 

"  That  am,  um  wrestling  bear ;  him  wrestle  with  any  body, 
and  put  on  the  hug  till  you  cry  '  ouch  !  " 

Mr.  Mole  smiled  disdainfully. 

"  Who  cares  for  a  paltry  bear,"  he  remarked.  "  I  will 
amuse  myself  with  the  antics  of  the  ungainly  creature." 

"  He  make  a  Egyptian  mummy  of  you,  sare." 

"  Not  he  !  " 

"  Squeeze  you  flat  as  um  pancake  on  Shrove  Tuesday. 
Don't  you  forget  it." 

"  Bosh  !     Bring  on  the  bear." 

"  Very  well,  sare,  me  going." 

"  I  suppose  there  is  no  music  by  the  band  ? "  asked  Mole. 

"  You  make  the  music  when  you  begin  to  holler,"  laughed 
Monday,  trotting  off. 

Jack  raised  no  objection  to  the  performing  bear  coming 
into  the  garden. 


286       JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS 

He  rather  wanted  to  be  relieved  from  the  care  that  was 
weighing  him  down. 

The  bear  was  under  the  control  of  his  master,  he  sup- 
posed, and  not  at  all  dangerous. 

In  a  few  minutes  Monday  reappeared  through  the  garden 
gate,  accompanied  by  a  Savoyard,  who  led  a  big  brown  bear 
by  a  tope  which  was  attached  to  its  neck. 

"  Ha !  "  cried  the  professor.  "  That  reminds  me  of  the 
event  of  the  morning. " 

"  In  what  way  ?  "  asked  Jack. 

"  Hempen  noose  ;  rope  round  neck  :  Barboni.     Twig  ? " 

"  Right.     I  see  the  simile  now.     Very  appropriate." 

The  Savoyard  gave  the  bear  a  tambourine.  It  stood  on 
its  hind  legs,  and  knocked  it  with  its  fore  paws. 

"  Bravo  !     Very  good  !  "  said  Mole. 

"  Been  in  Englanda,"  exclaimed  the  owner,  "  all  over  the 
world." 

"  Performed  before  her  most  gracious  majesty  the  Queen, 
I  suppose  ? " 

"Yessa.  Windsor  Castella.  Great  well-known  beara. 
Been  before  all  the  crowned  heads  of  Europa." 

"  Wonderful.     What  can  he  do  ?  " 

'•  Wrestle  like  a  strong  man  ;  throw  any  body.  You  wanta 
have  a  try,  signer?  " 

"  Well,  I  don't  mind,"  replied  the  professor ;  "  fact  is,  I 
am  not  particularly  fit.  Athletics  is  not  my  strong  suit,  and 
to  wrestle  with  a  performing  bear  is  rather  below  form  for  a 
classical  tutor  ;  but,  in  the  language  of  the  ring,  '  I'm  on.' " 

"  He  not  hurta  you." 

"  Certainly  not.  I'm  more  likely  to  hurt  him.  Bah ! 
What  price  your  bear  ?  " 

Mr.  Mole,  for  the  moment,  fancied  he  was  a  mighty  man. 

He  was  reckless  from  over-indulgence  in  wine,  and,  as 
Ibsen  would  say,  "had  vine  leaves  in  his  hair,"  which  is  a 
mild  way  of  saying  he  was  tipsy. 

Jack  was  fearful  that  some  harm  would  come  to  him. 

"  What  are  you  about  to  do  ? "  he  asked. 

'« Try  a  fall  with  the  bear,"  replied  Mole. 

"You  have  no  chance  with  a  creature  like  that." 

"  Don't  talk  such  childish  rot,  my  dear  Harkaway ;  allow 
me  to  have  my  own  opinion." 

"  You  will  not  be  warned." 

"  I  rather  think  I  have  a  mind  of  my  own." 


JACK  HARKA  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.       287 

"  It  is  a  very  obstinate  one — somewhat  mulish." 

"  Call^me  a  mule  if  you  like ;  I  am  going  to  try  conclu- 
sions with  that  bear  and  throw  him.  I  wrestled  when  I  was 
young.  He  can  have  Cumberland  style  or  Cornish,  which- 
ever he  likes." 

"  Go  ahead,  then  ;  if  he  hurts  you  it  is  not  my  fault," 
replied  Jack. 

"  Certainly  not." 

Mr.  Mole  advanced  to  the  bear,  from  whose  neck  the 
owner  slipped  the  rope. 

This  was  to  allow  the  animal  greater  freedom. 

The  bear  uttered  a  deep  growl  as  Mole  approached  him. 
He  stood  on  his  hind  legs,  and  put  up  his  fore  paws, 

Fearlessly,  and  with  an  air  of  bravado,  the  professor  threw 
his  arms  round  the  bear. 

The  compliment  was  returned,  and  the  man  of  letters 
found  himself  so  tightly  compressed,  that  he  could  scarcely 
breathe. 

In  a  moment  the  creature  had  hugged  him,  and,  in  spite  of 
his  struggles,  he  could  not  free  himself. 

"  Oh,  Lord  !  "  gasped  Mole.     "  Call  him  off ! " 

"  Will  the  beast  bite  ? "  asked  Jack. 

"  No  feara,"  replied  the  Savoyard ;  "  only  hugga.  Me 
traina  not  to  bita." 

"  Call  him  off !  "  screamed  Mole. 

"  What  prica  my  beara,  you  aska  ?  "  said  the  owner.  "  You 
give  ten  lire  ? " 

"Yes,  twenty  ;  confound  the  brute  !  " 

"Letta  go,  Garibaldi" — that  was  the  bear's  name — 
"  droppa  the  signor,  quicka  !  " 

The  bear  at  once  released  Mr.  Mole,  and  walked  back  to 
his  master. 

In  a  moment,  the  rope  was  readjusted  round  his  neck. 

All  danger,  if  there  was  any,  was  over. 

"  Bless  me,"  said  Mr.  Mole,  "  what  an  extraordinary  thing  ! " 

"  What's  that,  sir  ?  "  asked  Jack. 

"  I'm  not  subject  to  it ;  but  I  suffered  from  a  sudden 
failure  of  muscular  action.  My  arms  gave  way,  just  as 
rowing  men's  do  sometimes." 

"  Indeed ! " 

"  Fact,  I  assure  you ;  the  climate  has  something  to  do 
with  it,  I  suppose.  Had  it  not  been  for  that,  I  would  have 
made  an  example  of  the  brute,  and  floored  him." 


288      JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

"  Cornish  or  Cumberland  style,  sir  ? " 

"  Oh,  you  are  always  ready  to  chaff,"  said  Mole,  with  an 
air  of  utter  disgust. 

"  Pay  the  man  and  let  him  go." 

Reluctantly  the  professor  handed  the  Savoyard  the  sum 
money  he  had  promised  him. 

Monday  showed  the  master  and  the  bear  out  of  the  garden. 

Presently  the  black  come  running  back. 

"  Urn  strange  man  to  see  you,  sare,"  he  exclaimed. 

"  Bring  him  in  here,"  replied  Jack. 

In  another  minute  Monday  returned  with  Arentino,  the 
detective. 

A  card  he  handed  Jack  revealed  his  name  and  profession. 

"  Your  business  with  me  ?  "  queried  Jack. 

"  Is  of  a  delicate  nature,  signer.  The  gentleman  with 
you  — 

"  My  old  and  trusted  friend.     You  can  speak  before  him." 

"  Good,"  replied  Arentino.  "  It  has  accidentally  come  to 
my  knowledge  that  you  are  threatened  with  a  great  danger." 

"  From  what  source  ? " 

"  I  am  but  a  poor  detective,  This  is  no  matter  of  State. 
Any  reward  you  like  to  give  me  will  be  thankfully  received. 

"  Rest  assured  I  will  not  be  ungrateful  if  you  render  me 
a  service.  Speak  freely." 

"  Barboni  had  a  brother.  He  was  released  from  twenty 
years'  imprisonment  to-day,  and  seeing  his  brother  die,  has 
vowed  to  be  revenged  on  you,  because  you  hunted  him  to 
the  scaffold." 

"  Are  you  sure  of  your  facts  ?  " 

"  I  heard  Guiseppe  Barboni  swear  it.  Leave  Naples  at 
at  once,  signor. " 

"  Unfortunately  I  cannot,"  answered  Jack.  "  My  wife  has 
been  taken  ill  suddenly." 

"  Your  life  is  not  safe.  Guiseppe  knows  where  you  live. 
At  any  moment  he  may  attack  you.  The  man  is  old,  poor, 
broken.  Revenge  for  his  brother's  fate  is  all  to  him.  If  he 
can  kill  you,  or  your  wife,  or  your  friends — perhaps  all — he 
would  gladly  die.  What  is  life  to  such  a  being?" 

"  How  did  you  ascertain  this  ? "  inquired  Jack. 

Arentino  frankly  related  what  he  heard  pass  between 
Guiseppe  Barboni  and  Adriano,  the  baker,  in  the  Plaza  that 
morning. 

There  was  no  reason  to  disbelieve  his  statement. 


JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.       289 

Jack  made  him  a  handsome  present  for  his  timely  warning. 

The  detective  thanked  him  profusely  for  his  kindness. 

"  Remember,  signor,"  he  added,  "  that  Giuseppe  Barboni 
is  at  present  the  guest  of  Adriano,  the  baker,  in  the  Plaza." 

"  I  will  not  forget,"  said  Jack. 

"  He  may  come  upon  you  at  any  moment.  I  can  do  no 
more.  For  the  threat  I  cannot  arrest  him.  You  must  look 
to  yourself." 

Bowing  politely,  Arentino  took  his  departure. 

Monday,  who  had  been  lying  on  the  grass,  overhearing 
the  conversation,  jumped  up. 

"  Urn  got  it,  Mast'  Jack,"  he  cried. 

11  Got  what,  you  silly,  grinning  ape  ? "  asked  Mole. 

"  Me  not  talk  to  you,  sare.  You  go  and  talk  to  um  bear. 
Yah,  yah  !  " 

"  Stop  that  noise." 

"He  put  the  hug  on  you  all  right.  That  a  fine  bear: 
Mast'  Jack,  um  speak  to  you," 

"  Proceed,"  said  Jack. 

"  Um  try  to  think  where  I  hear  that  name  Adriano.  Now 
I  recollect  It  was  the  morning  before  Missy  Emily  took 
sick.  She  talked  to  the  cook  'bout  dinner,  and  find  fault 
with  the  bread.  Change  the  baker,'  she  say.  The  cook  say, 
'  Very  good  baker,  Adriano,  in  Plaza ;  buy  bread  from  him 
in  future.  Now  we  deal  with  him  from  to-day.  Get  our 
bread  there  for  to-morrow.'  " 

Mr.  Mole  smiled  contemptuously. 

"What  of  that?"  he  remarked.  "Your  addle-pate  tells 
you  that  you  have  made  a  wonderful  discovery,  but  I  don't 
think  so." 

"  Nor  I,"  said  Jack.     "  There  is  nothing  in  that." 

"  Me  keep  my  eyes  open,"  continued  Monday.  "  Not 
sleep  at  night  till  we  get  away  from  this  city." 

"  Find  out  something  else,  my  sable  friend,"  sneered 
Mole. 

"  You  go  and  find  out  all  'bout  bears." 

"Just  give  bears  a  rest,"  growled  the  professor.  "Hire  a 
hall  if  you  want  to  give  a  lecture  on  natural  history." 

"  How  um  ribs  feel  ?  " 

"Sore,  my  friend — very  sore.  I  wish  you  had  half  my 
complaint,"  answered  Mole,  grimly. 

"  We  must  be  on  our  guard,"  exclaimed  Jack  ;  "  danger 
environs  us  again.  I  thought  that  the  vile  spawn  of  the 

'9 


290     JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

Barboni  family  was  extinct  with  the  brigand,  and  now  a 
brother  crops  up." 

"  Never  mind,  sare  ;  Monday  be  on  the  watch,"  said  the 
black. 

They  walked  into  the  house,  as  it  was  nearly  dinner-time. 

Hilda  met  them  in  the  passage,  and  informed  them  that 
Emily  had  had  a  refreshing  sleep,  had  taken  some  soup,  and 
felt  better,  though  she  was  unable  to  get  up. 

"  Thank  heaven  for  that !  "  ejaculated  Harkaway. 

Later  in  the  day,  he  sent  for  the  best  doctor  in  the  city, 
who  stated  that  she  was  not  attacked  by  the  fever  then  so 
prevalent. 

Her  malady  was  nothing  more  than  nervous  prostration, 
brought  on  by  the  loss  of  her  boy,  and  other  exciting  events. 

He  told  Jack  not  to  expose  her  to  any  fatigue  for  some 
days,  and  Harkaway  postponed  his  departure  for  a  week. 


CHAPTER  LXXXVI. 

THE   BAKER 'S    ASSISTANT. 

THOUGH  the  worthy  Adriano,  with  his  Socialistic  pro- 
clivities, was  foolishly  good-natured,  his  wife  Coresca  was  en- 
tirely the  reverse. 

She  had  a  bad  temper  and  a  mean  dispostion,  which  was 
aggravated  by  the  fact  of  their  having  no  children,  though 
they  had  been  married  some  years,  she  becoming  very  self- 
ish. 

When  Adriano  brought  Guiseppe  Barboni  home  with  him, 
installed  him  in  the  parlour,  and  gave  him  something  to  eat 
and  drink,  her  wrath  was  roused. 

She  waited  till  he  came  into  the  shop  to  open  her  tirade. 

"  A  pretty  thing  to  do  !  "  she  exclaimed.  "  Why  do  you 
bring  a  beggar  man  in  here  to  rob  me  ? " 

The  baker  did  not  dare  relate  the  man's  history,  for  it 
would  have  rendered  her  more  disagreeable. 

"  He  is  honest  enough,"  replied  Adriano.  "  The  fellow 
is  poor,  and  as  he  told  me  he  wanted  employment,  I  thought 
you  would  find  him  useful  as  outdoor  assistant.  He  will 
come  cheap." 


JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.       291 

"That  is  not  a  bad  idea,"  replied  Coresca,  who  liked  any- 
thing that  was  cheap.  "  Our  man,  Filipo,  has  been  very 
saucy  more  than  once ;  he  is  always  under  a  week's  notice, 
and  shall  go  to-day.  What  do  you  call  your  lazzarone  in 
there?" 

"  He  answers  to  the  name  of  Guiseppe.  Do  what  you  like 
with  him.  I  will  go  below  to  the  bakehouse,  and  set  the 
sponge  for  to-morrow." 

No  sooner  had  he  gone  down  the  stairs  than  Coresca 
called  to  Guiseppe  Barboni. 

"You  must  take  the  bread  out  to-day,"  she  said,"  here  is 
a  basket  of  loaves,  and  here  is  the  list  of  customers,  with  their 
addresses.  You  will  soon  get  used  to  it.  Be  off." 

Guiseppe  comprehended  that  he  was  to  be  the  baker's  as- 
sistant, and  did  not  object  to  working  in  this  way,  in  return 
for  the  temporary  relief  he  was  receiving. 

He  lifted  the  basket  on  his  arm,  and  held  the  paper  of 
names  in  his  hand. 

Reaching  the  bottom  of  the  street,  he  sat  down  to  read  the 
paper,  and  ascertain  where  he  had  to  go. 

For  twenty  years  he  had  been  shut  up,  and  though  born  in 
Naples,  he  had  forgotten  the  names  and  formation  of  the 
streets. 

In  front  of  him  was  the  Strada  di  Toledo.  He  knew  that 
from  its  width,  and  the  splendour  of  the  houses  in  it,  and 
also  by  a  grand  chemist's  shop  which  occupied  one  corner. 

Looking  down  the  list  of  Adriano's  customers,  the  forlorn 
and  weary  Guiseppe,  saw  the  name  of  Signer  Harkaway, 
No.  15,  the  Strada  di  Toledo. 

Then  his  eyes  lighted  up  with  the  keen  desire  for  revenge, 
which  he  had  vowed,  at  seeing  his  brother's  fate  on  that 
bright  sunny  morning,  which  had  been  so  full  of  promise  to 
him. 

As  Monday  had  remarked,  Emily  had  changed  her  baker, 
transferring  her  custom  to  Adriano,  and  it  fell  to  Guiseppe 
Barboni's  lot  to  deliver  the  bread  that  day. 

A  diabolical  idea  entered  the  head  of  Guiseppe. 

There  was  six  loaves  to  be  delivered  at  Harkaway's  house, 
and  he  conceived  the  plan  of  poisoning  each  one,  by  which 
means  he  hoped  that  he  would  destroy  the  whole  family. 

"  Not  one,  but  all,"  he  muttered.  "  It  is  a  nest  of  vipers  ; 
they  shall  all  die,  however  numerous  they  may  be.  Ha,  ha  1 
They  have  not  yet  done  with  the  name  of  Barboni." 


292       JACK  HARKA  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

He  did  not  delay  carrying  out  his  purpose,  but  walked  with 
his  basket  across  the  road,  and  entered  the  shop  of  the 
chemist. 

Stating  th^t  he  came  from  Adriano,  he  asked  for  some 
arsenic  with  which  to  kill  rats  that  infested  the  bakery. 

The  chemist  gave  him  a  quantity  of  the  deadly  poison 
without  asking  any  questions. 

He  went  away  with  an  impassive  face,  though  his  heart 
was  inwardly  rejoicing, 

Diving  down  some  small  back  slums  he  reached  the  seashore 
and  seated  himself  on  the  beach  where  he  was  secure  from 
observation. 

On  his  way  he  had  purchased  a  long,  narrow  iron  skewer, 
with  which  he  made  holes  through  six  of  the  topmost  loaves 
in  the  basket. 

These  perforations  he  filled  with  arsenic,  putting  in  each 
loaf  enough  to  kill  a  dozen  men. 

Having  completed  his  preparations,  he  hastened  back  to 
the  strada  in  which  Jack  lived,  and  delivered  his  deadly  con- 
signment to  a  servant,  who  put  the  bread  as  usual  in  the 
pantry. 

Then  he  went  the  rest  of  his  round,  and  returned  to  the 
shelter  that  Adriano  had  found  him  ;  but  the  spirit  of  unrest 
was  upon  him.  He  could  not  sit  still ;  and  was  forced  to  go 
out  again. 

He  had  been  so  long  confined,  that  he  felt  he  could  live- 
under  the  blue  vault  of  heaven. 

"  Where  are  you  going  ?  "  asked  the  baker. 

Guiseppe  Barboni  replied  that  he  did  not  know.  Spirit 
voices  seemed  to  be  calling  him  into  the  open  air.  Walls 
were  not  for  him  to  live  within.  He  might  come  back;  when, 
he  could  not  tell. 

Some  attraction  seemed  to  draw  him  to  Harkaway's  house. 
He  was  afraid  to  loiter  because  he  thought  he  would  attract 
attention.  So  when  no  one  was  about,  he  glided  into  the 
garden  through  the  side  gate  and  hid  himself  among  some 
evergreens.  x 

Harkaway  was  at  dinner  with  his  friends.  Young  Jack, 
who  had  dined  in  the  middle  of  the  day,  came  into  the 
garden  with  his  pet  wolf,  which  had  been  the  property  of  the 
witch.  The  creature  licked  his  hand. 


this 


"  You  are  hungry,"  said  young  Jack.     "  I  forgot  to  feed  you 
is  dinner  time.     Wait  while  I  go  and  see  what  I  can  get." 


JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.       293 

He  ran  into  the  house  and  asked  a  servant  for  a  piece  of 
bread.  She  gave  him  a  large  slice. 

"  It's  quite  new,"  she  exclaimed  ;  "all  yesterday's  has  been 
cut  up  for  dinner.  This  is  the  supply  for  to-morrow." 

"  That  will  do,"  rejoined  young  Jack,  going  back  to  the 
wolf,  to  whom  he  threw  the  fresh,  soft  bread. 

The  animal  devoured  it  greedily.  Luckily,  young  Jack 
did  not  touch  it.  He  contented  himself  with  picking  peaches 
off  a  tree  which  grew  in  the  garden,  and  were  deliciously 
ripe. 

During  this  time,  Guiseppe  remained  in  the  bushes,  with- 
in a  stone's  throw  of  the  boy. 

"  How  is  it  I  hear  no  cries  ?  "  he  muttered.  "  The  action 
of  the  poison  is  rapid  ;  they  should  have  eaten  of  the  bread  by 
this  time.  All  is  quiet.  It  is  the  Paradise  of  Milton,  net 
the  Inferno  of  Dante." 

Neither  Emily  nor  Jack  allowed  new  bread  to  be  put  on 
the  table,  as  they  deemed  it  unwholesome.  Thus  a  supply 
was  taken  in  the  day  before,  for  use  on  the  morrow. 

This  Guiseppe  was  unaware  of.  He  expected  to  hear 
every  moment  the  groans  of  the  dying. 

All  at  once,  young  Jack  noticed  his  wolf  stagger  and  roll  on 
its  side. 

It  seemed  in  the  greatest  pain,  for  peculiar  cries  came  from 
its  lips,  on  which  a  white  froth  had  gathered. 

In  vain  he  tried  to  get  it  on  its  legs  again. 

Alarmed  he  was  about  to  run  into  the  house  for  his  father, 
when  Harkaway  and  his  friends  appeared  on  the  lawn,  closely 
followed  by  the  ever-present  and  faithful  Monday. 

"What  are  you  doing  to  your  wolf,  Master  Jack?"  asked 
Harvey.  "He  does  not  look  comfortable." 

"  I  gave  him  a  bit  of  new  bread  just  now,  and  after  eating 
it  he  went  like  that,"  replied  young  Jack. 

"His  eyes  are  glazing;  his  limbs  are  stiffening;  he  is 
dying !  "  cried  Mr.  Mole. 

"It  is  strange,  that  a  bit  of  new  bread  should  have  such  an 
effect,"  observed  Jack. 

Monday  had  been  listening.  He  ran  into  the  house,  and 
was  gone  a  few  minutes.  When  he  rejoined  the  garden-party, 
he  held  the  key  of  the  pantry  in  one  hand,  and  the  one  loaf, 
that  had  been  cut  by  the  servant,  in  the  other. 

"What  have  you  found  out  now?"  asked   the  professor. 

"  Poisoned  bread,  sare,"  cried  Monday.    "Um  willing  to  bet 


2£4      JA  CR  HARRA  WA  Y  AMONG  THE 

on  it ;  see  the  white  powder  in  it ;  poison  come  from  new 
baker.  Barboni's  brother  lose  no  time." 

Each  looked  blankly  at  the  other,  for  Jack  had,  at  dinner, 
related  what  passed  between  him  and  the  detective  Arentino. 

"  Young  Jack  has  saved  us  all  from  a  fearful  death,  by  feed- 
ing his  wolf ! "  exclaimed  Mr.  Mole. 

The  boy  looked  pitifully  at  the  dying  animal. 

"  Will  my  poor  wolf  die,  father,?  "  he  asked. 

"  There  can  not  be  any  doubt  of  it.  Never  mind  ;  I  will  get 
you  another  pet — a  dog,  or  a  pony,  whichever  you  like,"  an- 
swered Jack. 

They  gathered  round  the  wolf,  but  were  afraid  to  go  close, 
as  it  snapped  like  a  mad  dog. 

Monday  walked  about,  wrapped  in  thought. 

He  approached  the  clump  of  bushes  in  which  Guiseppe 
Barboni  had  secreted  himself. 

A  slight  noise  arrested  his  attention. 

Looking  in  that  direction,  he  beheld  a  pair  of  glittering, 
cobra-coloured  eyes. 

In  an  instant  the  black  drew  his  knife  from  his  belt,  and 
plunged  into  the  evergreens. 

Guiseppe  Barboni  was  not  armed.  Cunning  was  more  his 
forte  than  violence. 

He  saw  Monday  coming  upon  him  like  an  avalanche,  and 
strove  to  crawl  away ;  but  he  was  seized  before  he  could  go 
far,  and  dragged  into  the  open. 

With  the  knife  held  over  him,  and  a  fierce  black  man  grip- 
ping him  like  a  vice,  Guiseppe  thought  his  last  hour  had 
come. 

"  Who  are  you  ? "  demanded  Harkaway. 

"  Guiseppe  Barboni,"  was  the  reply. 

"  What  are  you  here  for  ? " 

"  To  see  you  all  die  of  poison.  It  is  in  your  bread.  I  put 
it  in  there  because  you  caused  my  brother's  death.  Let  me 
depart.  I  will  go  some  where  and  die.  My  head  is  bad.  I 
have  not  much  sanity.  Twenty  years!  It  was  awful.  Then 
to-day,  my  brother —  Holy  Mary,  have  mercy." 

"  Take  him  to  the  police  station,"  said  Jack.  "  He  has  con- 
fessed." 

"The  unfortunate  wretch  is  mad,"  remarked  Harvey. 

"Anybody  can  see  that  with  half  an  eye,"  replied  Mr. 
Mole. 

Monday  was  about  to  drag  him  along,  when, with  a  desperate 


JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.      295 

effort,  the  man  snatched  his  knife  from  his  hand  and,  with  a 
rapid  movement,  knocked  him  down  and  ran  away. 

He  escaped  through  the  garden  gate. 

Everybody  shivered  with  horror. 

The  madman  was  at  large. 


CHAPTER  LXXXVII. 

THE      MADMAN      AT      LARGE. 

THE  escape  of  Guiseppe  Barboni,  the  mad  brother  of  the 
infamous  brigand,  was  a  constant  source  of  danger  to  Jack 
Harkaway  and  his  friends. 

They  could  not  tell  what  new  vile  plot  he  would  concoct 
for  their  destruction. 

It  was  impossible  for  Jack  to  leave  Naples  until  his  wife 
was  sufficiently  recovered  to  undertake  the  journey. 

That  would  be  some  days  at  the  very  earliest. 

As  soon  as  Jack  had  time  to  collect  his  thoughts  after  the 
scene  in  the  garden,  he  sent  Monday  to  the  headquarters  of 
the  police  to  request  the  attendance  of  Arentino,  the 
detective. 

He  felt  that  it  was  absolutely  necessary  that  the  madman 
should  be  captured. 

If  he  was  not  put  under  restraint,  he  would  infallibly  do 
some  serious  mischief. 

Monday  was  fortunate  enough  to  find  Arentino,  and 
brought  him  back  to  the  house  with  him. 

Jack  had  been  in  close  conversation  with  Mole  and 
Harvey. 

They  both  agreed  with  him,  that  the  madman  was  more 
to  be  feared  than  the  brigand. 

Arentino  declared  that  he  was  not  at  all  surprised  at 
what  had  happened. 

He  had  expected  some  deed  of  violence  without  delay  on 
the  part  of  the  miserable  Guiseppe. 

"  I  call  him  miserable,"  added  the  detective,  "  but  at  the 
same  time  we  cannot  afford  to  despise  him." 

"  What  will  be  his  next  move,  think  you  ?  "  asked  Jack. 

"  It  is  impossible  to  tell.     The  man  is  a  monomaniac,  with 


296       JACK  HARKAWA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

a  homicidal  mania.  That  is  to  say,  he  has  only  one  idea, 
which  is  to  kill  you  and  your  friends." 

"  Yes,  you  are  right,"  replied  Jack.  "  When  the  fellow 
poisoned  the  bread  he  went  in  for  wholesale  poisoning.  It 
was  not  me  alone  he  intended  to  poison,  but  all  who  are 
near  and  dear  to  me." 

"That  is  precisely  my  opinion,"  continued  Arentino. 
"  Guiseppe  must  be  hunted  to  his  doom  ;  he  has  committed  a 
crime.  We  can  arrest  him  if  found,  and  shut  him  up,  poor 
beggar,  for  the  remainder  of  his  wretched  existence." 

"  If  you  can  do  that,  my  mind  will  be  at  ease." 

"  I  will  commence  operations  at  once.  Every  part  of  the 
city  of  Naples  shall  be  searched  for  the  madman." 

"  You  may  reply  upon  me  to  reward  you  if  you    succeed." 

"  I  must  and  will  succeed,"  cried  Arentino,  confidently. 
"  He  shall  be  under  lock  and  key  before  night,  unless  he 
has  left  the  city.  There  is  that  contingency  to  be  thought  of." 

"  But  in  that  case  I  am  safe." 

"  Be  not  so  sure  of  that,  signor.  He  might  return ;  there 
is  method  in  his  madness.  These  Barbonis  come  of  a  clever 
family.  The  father  was  an  engineer  officer,  and  fought  under 
Napoleon  the  First." 

"  Do  your  best,  my  good  Arentino,"  said  Jack,  "  and  report 
to  me  as  early  as  possible." 

"  I  will  not  fail  to  do  so,  signor.     Adieu." 

Touching  his  cap  respectfully,  the  detective  withdrew, 
having  lightened  the  burden  which  had  fallen  on  Harkaway's 
mind. 

He  had  feared  that  Barboni's  brother  would  try  to  injury 
Emily  or  young  Jack. 

If  either  were  hurt  it  would  be  a  terrible  blow  to  him. 

But  surely  Arentino  was  right. 

It  would  be  easy  enough  to  catch  the  madman,  although 
Naples  was  a  big  city,  and  there  were  plenty  of  places  to  hide  in. 

A  heavy  dew  began  to  fall,  and  the  men  retired  into  the 
house. 

Hilda  informed  them  that  Emily  was  not  so  well,  and  com- 
plained of  pains  in  her  head. 

Jack  spent  the  best  part  of  the  evening  with  his  wife. 

Afterwards  smoking  a  cigar  with  Mr.  Mole. 

"  I  suppose,"  said  the  professor,  "  that  there  will  not  be 
any  chance  of  moving  Mrs.  Harkaway  for  some  days  ?  " 

"  Not  at  all,"  answered  Jack.     "  She  is  awfully  nervous  to- 


JACX  HARKAWAY  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.       297 

night ;  in  fact,  she  is  suffering  from  an  attack  of  prostration, 
arising  from  a  lowering  of  the  nerve  centres." 

Mr.  Mole  listened  attentively  to  this  diagnosis. 

He  heaved  a  deep  sigh. 

"Did  you  hear  me  sigh?"  he  asked.  " That  came  from 
the  centre  of  my  left  lung.  I  am  weak  in  the  chest,  also  my 
nerves  are  run  down." 

"  This  is  the  first  time  I  have  heard  of  it,  sir,"  remarked 
Jack. 

"  '  I  do  not  wear  my  heart  upon  my  sleeve/  "  as  the  in> 
mortal  bard  observes. 

"  If  you  are  ill  you  should  have  medical  advice." 

"  Pish  1  What  is  the  use  of  it  ?  "  cried  Mole.  "  You  have 
subjected  me  to  hardship  and  exposure." 

"  How  do  you  make  that  out  ? " 

"  Have  I  not  followed  you  to  various  parts  of  the  world, 
doing  all  kinds  of  things,  of  which  brigand-hunting  is  not  the 
least  ? " 

"  Very  true." 

"  I  am  tired,  wearied,  worn  out,  and  want  a  rest." 

"  Take  one  by  all  means." 

"  How  can  I  ?  It's  killing  your  wife,  and  me,  too.  Now, 
when  we  thought  the  campaign  was  over,  what  happens?" 

"  Tell  me." 

"  You  throw  a  dangerous  maniac  at  us — a  mad  poisoner.'* 

"  I  had  nothing  to  do  with  it." 

"  As  leader  of  this  expedition  you  are  responsible.  I  hold 
you  so." 

"  That's  rather  hard  on  me,"  replied  Jack  with  a  smile. 

"  Not  at  all.  You  should  have  got  away  before  the  lunatic 
was  sprung  on  us." 

"  That  is  what  I  intended  to  do,  but  this  sudden  indis- 
position of  Emily " 

"  All  your  own  fault ;  serves  you  right ;  but  I  do  not  deserve 
illness,  and  if  I  am  to  stave  off  an  attack  I  must  have  a 
change." 

"  I  am  agreeable,"  said  Jack. 

"  How  I  shall  get  to  sleep  to-night,  I  don't  know,"  con- 
tinued Mr.  Mole. 

"  What's  up  now  ? " 

"Thinking  of  that  madman  at  large,  of  course." 

"  Don't  fret  about  him.  Very  likely  Arentino  has  him  in 
prison  by  this  time." 


298      JACK  HARKA  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

"  Not  he,"  said  the  professor,  sceptically. 

"  It  will  not  be  long  first ;  morning  will  see  him  a  captive 
in  his  dungeon  cell." 

"  You  are  very  sanguine,  but  what  would  you  do  if  he  was 
Jurking  in  this  house,  knife  in  hand,  to  stab,  cut,  slay  us  all 
when  we  are  wrapped  in  sleep  ?  " 

The  picture  that  Mole  graphically  drew  made  Jack's  flesh 
creep  a  little. 

He  felt  that  such  a  thing  might  happen. 

"As  a  rule,"  the  professor  went  on,  "you  find  me  an  op- 
timist— that  is,  I  look  at  the  bright  side  of  things." 

"  I  am  obliged,  on  reflection,  to  confess  that  you  have  some 
right  on  this  occasion  to  be  a  pessimist,"  replied  Jack. 

"  Of  course  I  have.  Examine  the  house ;  look  under  every 
bed ;  lock  up  every  door  and  window." 

"  Good  advice." 

"  Let  Monday  patrol  the  passages  and  the  stairs.  If  some 
precautions  are  not  taken  we  shall  all  be  murdered.  Yes, 
sir,  our  throats  will  be  cut  as  we  slumber." 

"  I  sha'n't  sleep  a  wink  now  you  have  started  that  idea." 

"  Don't  you  thank  me  for  it  ?  " 

"  Certainly  I  do,"  rejoined  Jack,  "  but  there  are  some  debts 
of  gratitude  we  would  rather  not  incur." 

"  Acknowledge  that  I  am  the  salvation  of  all  in  the  house." 

"  Let  the  matter  drop.  We  do  not  know  that  there  is  any 
Stranger  here  yet.  I  will  see  that  precautions  are  taken." 

"  Neglect  it  at  your  peril ! " 

"  It  is  strange,"  added  Jack,  "  that  Emily  should  be  afraid 
of  something  happening  to-night." 

"  Indeed  !     How  is  that  ?  "  Mole  enquired. 

"  She  told  me  she  had  dreamed  that  young  Jack  was 
bleeding  to  death  from  a  wound  in  the  breast." 

"  That  is  very  remarkable.  Does  she  know  about  the  at' 
tempted  poisoning?" 

"  Not  a  word." 

"  Or  that  Barboni  has  a  mad  brother  at  large,  who  has 
sworn  to  exterminate  us  ?  " 

"  That  has  been  sedulously  kept  a  secret  from  her.  I 
myself  cautioned  young  Jack  to  say  nothing  about  him." 

"  Is  the  boy  with  his  mother  ?  "  Mole  asked. 

"  Yes.  She  insisted  that  he  should  sleep  with  her  to-night, 
so  I  took  him  out  of  his  own  little  room  and  brought  him  to 
her." 


JACK  &ARKA  WA  y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.      299 

"  Her  instinct  tells  her  that  danger  threatens.  Maternal 
sagacity  is  at  work.  Very  curious,"  exclaimed  the  professor, 
meditatively.  "  Is  their  anyone  else  in  the  room  ? " 

"  Not  at  present.  I  have  had  a  square  bed  placed  there 
for  my  use,  and  when  we  say  '  Good-night/  presently,  I  shall 
be  close  to  them,"  replied  Jack. 

"  Where  is  that  essence  of  lampblack,  Monday  ? " 

"  He  sleeps  on  this  floor,  at  the  end  of  the  passage.  The 
least  call  would  rouse  him." 

At  that  moment  a  dark  figure  appeared  in  the  doorway. 

It  was  Monday  himself. 

In  one  hand  he  held  a  pistol,  in  the  other  a  knife. 

He  opened  his  mouth  with  a  smile,  showing  his  white 
gleaming  teeth. 

"  No  occasion  for  to  call  um,  sare,"  he  exclaimed. 

"  What  keeps  you  up?"  asked  Jack. 

'"Fraid  that  old  arsenic  baker  come  back  and  try  to  carve 
some  of  us,  so  um  walk  about,  looking  heah,  there,  and  every 
where ;  up  in  um  attic,  and  down  in  um  wood  and  wine 
cellar." 

"  Have  you  seen  any  thing  of  a  suspicious  nature  ?  " 

*'  Ain't  seen  nuffin  for  certain,  Mast'  Jack,  but  I  could 
swear  heard  um  footstep  on  the  stair." 

"  Did  you  follow  it  up  ? " 

"  This  chile  been  all  over  um  house ;  p'r'aps  it's  one  of 
um  ghosts  in  this  jolly  old  house ;  quite  a  nice  home  for  um 
spirits,"  replied  Monday. 

The  professor  made  a  gesture  indicative  of  disgust. 

"Nonsense,  my  good  fellow,"  he  said;  "please  don't  talk 
such  rot.  If  you  heard  any  thing  on  the  stairs  it  was  human." 

"  That's  what  um  think  umself." 

"  It  follows  then,  that  there  is  a  strange  man  in  the  house. 
No  doubt  it  is  Guiseppe  Barboni." 

"The  question  is,"  added  Monday,  "where  um  hiding?" 

"  Have  you  got  a  light  ? ''' 

"  What  you  take  me  for  ? "  asked  Monday.  "  How  I  go 
'bout  the  house  in  the  dark  ?  Got  um  slap-up  lantern.  Leab 
him  outside  this  room  for  um  moment." 

"  That's  just  it,"  said  the  professor. 

"  How  um  mean,  sare  ?" 

"  That's  how  you  missed  the  man.  You  go  flashing  your 
bull's-eye  all  over  the  place.  The  man  sees  it,  knows  what 
your  little  game  is  and  hides." 


300      JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

"  What  you  giving  me  ?  Go  on,"  replied  Monday ;  "  my 
head's  level  enough." 

"  Another  thing  I  notice,"  went  on  the  professor,  "  you 
have  got  your  thick  clumsy  boots  on." 

"  S'pose  want  to  go  out  and  run  in  street  ?  " 

"  They  can  be  heard  all  over  the  house.  You  give  warn- 
ing of  your  approach." 

"  What  um  want  to  do  ? " 

"  Take  off  your  boots,  leave  your  lantern,  prowl  about  in 
the  dark,  and  you'll  soon  hear  something  of  your  man,  if,  as 
we  imagine,  he  is  lurking  in  the  house." 

"  That  is  not  bad  advice  ;  act  on  it  for  an  experiment," 
said  Jack. 

"  All  right,  sare    If  I  want  you  I  will  call,"  rejoined  Monday 

"  And  I  will  come  to  your  side  as  quickly  as  possible. 
Harvey  has  gone  to  bed,  I  believe." 

"  All  gone  'cept  we  three.  It  am  past  um  midnight  hour. 
Hush  !  um  going  after  um  bogey  man." 

Grasping  his  weapon  firmer,  Monday  indulged  in  a  smile 
and  disappeared. 


CHAPTER  LXXXVIII. 

A  NIGHT  OF    HORROR — AFTER  MONDAY'S  DEPARTURE  ALL  WAS 
SILENT  AS  THE  VOICELESS  TOMB  ITSELF. 

MR.  MOLE  and  Jack  contented  themselves  with  looking  at 
one  another. 

Occasionally  they  glanced  towards  the  door. 

Both  listened  intently  for  the  slightest  sound. 

Their  patience,  however,  was  not  rewarded  by  any  noise 
or  by  a  signal  from  Monday. 

The  professor  drank  off  a  glass  of  Italian  wine  and  broke  the 
silence. 

It  was  as  well  that  he  did  so. 

Each  one  felt  that  it  was  becoming  awfully  oppressive. 

"  That  fellow  Monday  is  brave  enough,"  remarked  Mole, 
"  but  he  wants  a  lot  of  teaching." 

"  Excuse  me,"  Jack  replied,  "  I  fancy  he  knows  more  about 
tracking  an  enemy  than  you  will  ever  teach  him." 

"  Not  a  bit  of  it.  I'll  bask  myself  to  find  Barboni's  brother 
if  he  is  in  the  house." 


JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.       301 

"  How  will  you  do  it  ?  " 

"  Wait  and  see.  I  have  a  species  of  magnetism  about  me. 
I  will  concentrate  my  mind  on  him,  and  make  him  come 
straight  into  this  room." 

"  That's  all  bosh  !  I  won't  believe  it.  The  wine  is  talk- 
ing, not  you,"  answered  Jack. 

"  Don't  insult  your  old  tutor,  the  one  to  whom  you  owe 
every  thing,  because  he  wants  to  put  you  up  to  a  new  wrinkle." 

"  If  you  can  bring  Guiseppe  Barboni  into  this  room,  I  will 
apologise  and  take  a  back  seat." 

"  So  you  ought  to.  He's  bound  to  come,  I  tell  you,  my 
dear  fellow,  directly  I  turn  on  the  current  of  my  animal  mag- 
netism, odic  force,  occult  influence,  or  whatever  you  like  to 
call  it." 

"  Supposing  he  cannot  resist  you,  what  will  you  do  with 
him  ? " 

"Nothing;  I  shall  remain  passive;  it  will  be  for  you  and 
Monday  to  secure  the  fiend." 

"  Then  you  will  wait  for  Monday  to  return  before  you  be- 
gin your  operations  ?  'f 

"  Precisely  so.  I  should  like  to  have  two  of  you  here. 
I'm  getting  an  old  man,  and  you  rather  overrate  your  strength, 
you  know,  Harkaway." 

"  Do  I  ? "  said  Jack.  "  That  is  where  you  make  a  decided 
mistake.  You  would  soon  see  me  floor  the  madman  if  he 
came  within  reach.  I'd  knock  him  out  in  once." 

Not  being  at  all  sleepy,  Jack  hoped  to  derive  some  amuse- 
ment from  this  latest  idea  of  Mr.  Mole's. 

What  had  induced  him  to  think  that  he  was  a  mesmerist  it 
was  impossible  to  tell. 

He  had  all  kinds  of  strange  fancies  at  times,  when  the 
wine  got  into  his  head. 

Only  the  other  day  he  declared  that  he  had  been  dining 
with  the  King  of  Italy. 

The  time  passed  slowly ;  nothing  was  heard  of  Monday. 

I  was  talking  about  change  just  now,"  exclaimed  the 
professor ;  "  I  will  make  a  suggestion." 

"  If  it  is  any  thing  I  can  fall  in  with,  rely  upon  it,  I  will  do 
so,"  answered  Jack. 

"We  haven't  seen  much  since  we  have  been  here  ;  let  us 
visit  Pompeii  to-morrow.  It  will  be  a  real  treat  to  men  of  a 
classical  education  like  ourselves." 

"  Capital.     We  will  go." 


302      JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

"  You  and  I — no  crowd.  We  might  take  your  pet  nigger 
if  Guiseppe  does  not  settle  him  to-night,  but  nobody  else. 
I  want  to  enjoy  myself  without  a  crush.  The  train  takes  one 
from  her  to  Pompeii  in  half-an-hour." 

They  lapsed  into  silence,  thinking  of  the  city  of  Pompeii, 
which  had  been  buried  by  the  lava  and  scoriae  of  Mount 
Vesuvius  for  so  many  centuries,  and  only  lately  dug  out  for 
the  benefit  of  the  end-of-the-century  antiquaries  and  tourists. 

All  at  once  a  stifled  shriek  in  a  woman's  voice  \vr.s 
heard. 

The  house  consisted  of  three  stories,  and  it  came  from  the 
upper  floor. 

Here  slept  the  servants,  who  were  three  in  number — the 
housemaid,  the  nurse  who  attended  on  young  Jack  Hark- 
away,  and  the  cook. 

It  seemed  as  if  the  cry  emanated  from  one  of  these. 

For  a  moment  all  was  still  again. 

Then  there  was  a  scuffling  of  feet,  as  if  some  one  was  com- 
ing down  from  the  upper  floor  to  the  second. 

"  Did  you  hear  that  ? "  asked  Mole. 

"  It  was  a  subdued  cry,  but  I  heard  it,"  replied  Jack.  "  Will 
you  stay  here  while  I  go  upstairs  ?  It  may  have  roused 
Emily,  though  I  gave  her  a  sleeping  draught." 

"  I  think  it  came  from  the  servants'  quarters.  Where  is 
Monday  ? " 

Just  then  the  voice  of  the  black  was  heard. 

It  came  from  the  second  landing. 

"  Mast'  Jack,"  said  Monday. 

"  Yes ;  I  hear,"  was  Harkaway's  reply. 

"  Um  want  you,  sare.     Quick  !    Come  !  " 

"  All  right.     I  will  be  with  you." 

Mr.  Mole  rose  at  the  same  time  that  Harkaway  did. 

"  Hadn't  I  better  come  with  you  ?  "  he  exclaimed.  "  The 
ripe  wisdom  of  mature  years  may  be  of  service  to  you  in 
this  hour  of  trial. 

"  Stay  where  you  are  and  guard  this  floor,"  answered 
Jack. 

"  Bah !  What  is  there  to  guard  ?  Only  a  couple  of 
empty  bottles.  I  will  accompany  you." 

"  Stay  here,"  cried  Jack ;  "  I  don't  want  you.  Mesmerise 
Guiseppe  downstairs,  and  kill  or  capture  him." 

Mr.  Mole  sank  back  into  a  chair,  shivering. 

"  Not  for  worlds,"  he  answered.     "  I  have  been  reading 


JACK  HARKA  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.       303 

up  mesmerism  lately,  it  is  true,  but  I  would  not  like  to  prac- 
tise it  on  Guiseppe  Barboni  to-night,  while  I  am  alone.  The 
man  might  come  when  I  call  him,  you  know." 

"  You  old  humbug !  "  said  Jack,  as  he  snatched  up  a 
candle  and  went  upstairs  to  join  Monday. 

He  found  him  outside  the  room  occupied  by  Harvey  and 
his  wife,  Hilda,  which  was  at  the  end  of  the  passage. 

Close  by  were  two  women  crouching  in  the  corner  in  their 
night-dresses. 

These  were  the  cook  and  housemaid,  who  had  rushed 
from  the  room  in  which  they  slept  when  they  heard  the 
shriek. 

They  seemed  to  be  overcome  with  terror. 

All  they  could  do  was  to  clasp  their  arms  round  one 
another,  cross  their  foreheads,  and  call  on  the  Holy  Virgin 
for  protection  and  pity. 

"  Where's  the  nurse  ?"  demanded  Jack. 

"  Don't  know  sare,"  replied  Monday.  "  I  was  listening  out- 
side Missy  Emily's  room  to  guard  her  and  young  Mast' 
Jack,  so's  no  harm  should  come  to  them,  when  I  heard  the 
cry,  and  the  women  ran  down. 

"  The  madman  has  been  at  his  foul  work." 

"That's  what  I'se  berry  much  afraid  ob,  sare." 

"  Stay  here  while  I  go  upstairs.  It  won't  do  to  leave  this 
passage  unguarded,  and  I  don't  want  to  disturb  either  my 
wife  and  child,  or  Hilda  and  Harvey,  if  I  can  help  it." 

"  You  go  alone,  sare  ?  " 

"  Yes,"  replied  Harkaway ;  "  I  have  arms.  Don't  alarm 
yourself  about  me." 

He  spoke  to  the  two  servants  in  Italian,  but  they  made 
him  no  answer. 

It  appeared  as  if  they  were  beside  themselves  with  fear. 

In  fact,  after  he  went  away  they  both  fainted,  lying  on  the 
polished  oak  floor  like  two  statues  cut  out  of  stone. 

Jack  ascended  the  stairs,  with  the  light  in  one  hand  and  a 
pistol  in  the  other. 

He  proceeded  very  cautiously. 

Nothing,  however,  confronted  or  encountered  him. 

Had  it  not  been  for  the  scream  they  had  heard,  he  would 
have  thought  it  was  a  false  alarm. 

He  was  quickly  undeceived,  however,  in  this  particular. 

Facing  him,  as  he  reached  the  top  of  the  stairs,  was  the 
apartment  in  which  the  nurse  slept. 


304      JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

Under  ordinary  circumstances,  young  Jack  would  have  oc- 
cupied a  cot  by  her  side. 

Owing  to  an  extraordinary  feeling  of  nervousness  which 
had  come  over  Emily,  the  boy  had  been  removed. 

It  proved  lucky,  indeed,  that  it  was  so. 

When  Harkaway  entered  the  room,  which  was  of  small 
size,  he  started  back  at  what  he  saw. 

A  thrill  of  horror  ran  through  him. 

The  nurse,  who  was  a  young  and  not  bad-looking  woman, 
was  lying  on  the  floor  and  covered  with  blood. 

She  had  been  attacked  in  her  sleep,  dragged  from  her  bed, 
and  had  her  throat  dreadfully  gashed  with  a  knife. 

A  moment's  examination  showed  that  she  was  quite 
dead. 

That  this  was  the  work  of  Guiseppe  Barboni,  Jack  could 
not  doubt  for  a  moment. 

By  some  means  he  had  concealed  himself  in  the  house  to 
do  his  fell  work. 

In  a  warm  climate  it  is  not  difficult  to  enter  any  dwelling, 
as  the  doors  and  windows  must  be  left  open  in  the  evening. 

Were  it  not  so,  everyone  would  suffer  from  the  extreme 
heat. 

The  house  would  be  uninhabitable. 

It  seemed  clear  that  the  madman  had  crept  up  to  the  top 
of  the  house. 

There  he  concealed  himself,  and  heard  young  Jack  talk- 
ing to  his  nurse ;  not  remarking  that  the  boy  had  been  re- 
moved he  waited  until  all  was  still. 

Then  he  crept  into  the  room,  intending  to  kill  him. 

This  would  strike  a  heavy  blow  at  Harkaway's  heart. 

Possibly  the  nurse  was  aroused ;  she  cried  out,  and  to 
prevent  a  general  alarm  being  given,  the  madman  slew  her. 

Where  was  he  now  ? 

That  was  the  question  Jack  asked  himself  as  he  looked 
anxiously  round  the  room. 

He  noticed  some  curtains  hanging  round  the  window 
move. 

At  first  he  thought  it  was  the  wind 

A  moment's  reflection  convinced  him  that  it  was  a  still 
night  when  scarcely  a  breath  of  air  crept  over  the  surface 
of  the  bay. 

Advancing  a  few  steps,  he  was  sure  that  he  distingished 
a  human  form  shrouded  by  the  curtains. 


JA  CK  HARKA  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.       305 

Raising  his  pistol,  he  fired  at  the  drapery  to  either  kil/ 
<)r  bring  forth  the  skulking  miscreant. 

He  produced  the  latter  effect. 

The  next  moment  the  curtains  were  thrown  on  one  side. 

Guiseppe  Barboni,  with  a  blood-stained  knife  in  his  hand, 
stepped  forth. 

Jack  was  face  to  face  with  the  madman. 

"  Ha,  ha  !  "  cried  the  latter,  "  now  we  meet  again.  Will 
you  hang  me  as  you  did  my  brother  ?  I  wanted  to  kill  your 
boy,  then  your  wife,  then  your  friends,  and  you  last ;  but  I 
can  wait,  there  is  plenty  of  time  You  have  a  pistol ;  I  am 
too  poor  to  buy  one  as  yet.  To-night  I  give  in  ;  we  shall 
meet  again." 

All  the  while  he  was  talking,  Guiseppe  Barboni  moved 
about  the  room. 

First  he  was  on  one  side,  then  on  the  other. 

Jack  tried  to  cover  him  with  his  revolver,  but  was  unable 
to  do  so. 

Surely  it  would  be  no  crime  to  kill  such  a  wretch. 

He  fired  twice  at  him. 

The  bullets  did  not  go  near  him,  such  extraordinary  an- 
tics did  he  make. 

With  a  yell  of  derision,  that  was  heard  all  over  the  house, 
Guiseppe  darted  out  of  the  door. 

Monday  was  heard  to  utter  an  exclamation,  and  a  cry 
arose  from  Mr.  Mole, 

These  sounds  were  followed  by  the  opening  and  shutting 
of  the  front  door. 

This  indicated  that  the  madman  had  escaped. 

Jack  hastily  descended  to  the  second  floor,  where  he  found 
Hilda  and  Harvey  greatly  alarmed. 

They  had  been  roused  from  their  beds  by  the  noise  of  the 
pistol  shots. 

Emily,  however,  weak,  exhausted,  and  in  a  sound  slumber 
from  the  effects  of  the  sleeping  potion,  did  not  awake. 

The  madman  had  darted  past  Monday  and  Mole,  both  of 
whom  were  unharmed. 

"  In  heaven's  name,"  said  Harvey,  "  what  does  all  this 
mean  ? " 

Jack  explained  briefly  what  had  happened  within  the  last 
hour,  and  quieting  Hilda's  fears,  he  asked  Dick  Harvey  to 
come  downstairs  with  him. 

"  Just  be  good  enough  to  comfort  the  servants,''  said  Jack, 
20 


306      JACK  HARK  A  WAY  A  MONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

"  I  will  take  them  into  my  room,"  Hilda  replied. 

"  Yes ;  they  cannot  go  upstairs  ;  that  horror  will  drive  them 
mad." 

"  Do  you  think  we  are  rid  of  the  lunatic  ?  " 

"  I  heard  the  front  door  bang." 

"  That  may  be  a  ruse  to  deceive  us ;  do  be  careful.  How 
thankful  I  am  that  Emily  and  the  boy  are  asleep." 

"  So  am  I,"  said  Jack.  "  It  might  have  been  the  death  of 
her  in  the  state  she  is  in." 

Monday  was  standing  by. 

He  looked  very  much  annoyed. 

"  Don't  know  how  you  come  to  miss  him,  Mast'  Jack,"  he 
remarked.  "  You  fire  twice." 

"  The  fellow  dodged  about  like  a  will-o'-the-wisp,"  answered 
Harkaway. 

"  Um  pass  me  like  um  flash." 

"  We  shall  hear  more  of  him,  though  not  to-night,  I  hope.' 

"  How  de  debbel  um  come  in  ? "  asked  Monday. 

"  Same  way  he  got  out,  I  suppose.  The  front  door  was 
open  all  the  evening,  as  it  generally  is  " 

Jack,  Harvey,  and  Monday  now  went  down  to  the  entre-sot. 

They  found  Mr.  Mole  lying  on  a  sofa  ;  his  coat  was  torn, 
his  collar  pulled  off  his  neck,  and  he  appeared  to  have  had 
a  tremendous  struggle  with  somebody. 

"  What  is  the  matter,  sir  ?  "  asked  Jack.  "  Did  you  en- 
counter the  ruffian  ?  " 

The  professor  raised  himself  and  sat  up,  as  if  with  difficulty. 

"  Am  I  wounded  ?  "  he  queried. 

"  Not  that  I  can  see." 

"  A  narrow  escape.  I  have  been  struck  in  more  than  one 
place  by  the  maniac's  fist" 

"  He  had  a  knife." 

"  I  took  it  from  him,"  replied  Mr.  Mole.  "  I  wrested  it 
from  his  felonious  fist ;  here  it  is." 

He  put  his  hand  under  the  sofa  and  drew  forth  a  blood- 
stained knife. 

It  was  the  same  with  which  Guiseppe  Barboni  had  mur- 
dered the  nurse. 

But  Mr.  Mole  had  not  won  it  from  him. 

In  his  frantic  hurry  to  open  the  door  and  escape,  the  mad- 
man had  dropped  his  knife. 

Mole  had  been  watching  his  exit,  and  was  artful  enough 
to  pick  it  up. 


JACK  HARKA  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.      307 

"  Why  did  you  not  secure  the  villain  ?  "  asked  Jack. 

"  He  had  the  strength  of  ten  men ;  the  demented  always 
have.  In  vain  I  wrestled  with  him — he  threw  me — he  tore 
my  clothes.  Look  !  behold  me  !  " 

In  reality,  Mr.  Mole  had  not  met  the  madman  at  all.  He 
heard  the  knife  fall,  and  the  door  shut,  after  the  shots  had 
been  fired. 

Picking  up  the  knife,  he  tore  his  clothes  himself  to  make 
all  believe  that  he  had  been  fighting  with  the  lunatic. 

"  You  said  you  would  mesmerise  him  and  make  him  come 
to  you,  sir,"  remarked  Jack. 

"  So  he  did.  He  came  straight  into  the  room  when  I  was 
thinking  of  him,  and  I  kicked  him  out.  It  is  a  wonder  I  was 
not  killed ;  but  you  have  not  told  me  what  mischief  the  wild 
beast  has  done." 

"  Fortunately  we  have  escaped  ;  he  intended  to  kill  young 
Jack.  Not  finding  him,  as  he  was  with  his  mother,  the  nurse 
was  the  victim,  poor  creature.'' 

"  Is  she  dead  ? " 

"  Yes.  It  has  been  a  night  of  horror,"  replied  Jack.  "  I 
shall  sleep  in  a  chair ;  it  is  useless  to  take  one's  clothes  off." 

"  I  will  keep  you  company,"  said  Harvey. 

"  Me  watch,"  exclaimed  Monday. 

Mr.  Mole  yawned  and  stretched  himself  again  on  the  sofa. 

"  My  sable  friend,"  he  said,  "  I  thank  you.  Sleep  is  what 
I  yearn  for  ;  be  watchful.  Good-night." 

"  Mast"  Mole,  umgettin'old,"  muttered  Monday.  "Got  to 
make  allowance." 

The  black  went  all  over  the  house. 

He  was  extremely  vigilant. 

Harvey  threw  himself  down  on  the  carpet  in  the  smoking- 
room,  dressed,  ready  to  be  roused  at  a  moment's  notice. 

"  Be  careful,"  said  Jack ;  "  I  look  to  you,  Dick.  Mole  is 
no  good." 

"  My  dear  fellow,  I  will  not  close  my  eyes.  I  am  only 
resting  a  bit,"  replied  Harvey. 

"  Monday  cannot  do  every  thing,  and  the  madman  is  aw- 
fully cunning." 

"  He  would  not  be  a  Barboni  if  he  were  not." 

"  The  lives  of  my  wife  and  child  are  in  your  hands." 

Harvey  looked  up  in  surprise. 

"  Where  are  you  going,  old  son  ?  Aren't  you  about  to  help 
me  keep  the  fort  ? " 


308      JACK  HARK  A  WAY  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

"  How  can  I  ? "  answered  Jack.  "  A  murder  has  been 
committed  in  the  house  ;  the  madman  may  come  back  at  any 
time.  It  is  my  imperative  duty  to  go  to  the  police  office." 

"  Of  course,  I  forgot  that.  Forgive  me  for  being  so  stupid," 
said  Harvey. 

Jack  put  on  his  hat  and  left  the  house. 

It  was  on  the  tip  of  his  tongue  for  Harvey  to  call  back 
and  ask  if  he  should  not  accompany  him. 

The  madman  might  be  in  the  street. 

Harkaway  was  entirely  alone. 

But  when  Harvey  heard  Mole  snoring,  and  recognised  the 
fact  that  the  women  had  only  himself  and  Monday  to  protect 
them,  he  said  nothing. 

It  was  necessary  for  some  one  to  guard  the  house,  and  the 
precious  lives  in  it. 

Consequently  he  remained  silent. 

But  it  was  impossible  for  him  to  get  any  sleep. 

He  started  at  the  slightest  sound. 

Jack  was  in  the  street,  the  madman  was  still  at  large,  and 
he  could  not  help  fearing  that  he  would  run  into  danger. 


CHAPTER  LXXXIX. 

IN  THE  STREET — THE  BURNT  RAG,  OR  THE  HAUNT  OF 
THE  LAZZARONI. 

ONE  side  of  the  Strada  was  lighted  by  the  stars,  but  the 
other  along  which  Harkaway  proceeded  was  plunged  in 
almost  total  darkness. 

He  could  just  see  his  way,  and  that  was  all. 

Although  much  concerned  and  alarmed  at  what  had  oc- 
curred in  the  house,  he  walked  carelessly  along. 

It  was  his  belief  that  no  present  danger  was  to  be  appre- 
hended. 

His  heart  was  full  of  gratitude  for  the  preservation  of  young 
Jack. 

Had  he  been  snatched  from  them  they  would  have  received 
a  blow  from  which  it  would  have  been  long  before  they 
recovered. 

When  he  had  gone  about  a  hundred  and  fifty  yards,  he 
fancied  he  heard  a  footstep. 


JA  CK  HARKA  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIG  A  tfDS.       3  09 

This  was  accompanied  by  heavy  breathing, 

He  turned  sharply  round  to  see  what  it  might  be. 

This  movement  was  only  just  in  time  to  enable  him  to 
avoid  a  blow  from  a  stiletto. 

Someone  had  been  following  him  from  the  house  with  cat- 
like tread. 

He  felt  in  his  pocket  for  his  revolver. 

To  his  horror  he  found  that  in  the  excitement  of  the  mo- 
ment he  had  left  it  at  home. 

This  placed  him  completely  in  the  power  of  the  would-be 
assassin. 

Again  the  dagger  was  raised  to  strike. 

He  beheld  two  eyes  glaring  at  him  like  burning  coals,  and 
/magined  that  he  also  recognised  the  dark  outline  of  Gui- 
seppe  Barboni's  features. 

A  feeling  of  terrible  depression  came  over  him. 

As  if  fascinated,  he  stood  rooted  to  the  spot. 

He  was  for  the  time  incapable  of  speech  or  action. 

The  shadow  of  coming  death  had  fallen  upon  him. 

It  is  thus  at  some  critical  periods  of  existence  with  the 
bravest  of  men. 

Suddenly  a  second  man  crossed  the  street  as  fast  as  he 
could. 

The  spell  was  broken. 

Jack  knocked  up  the  maniac's  arm  and  shouted  for  help. 

By  a  miracle,  he  was  saved. 

The  villain  took  to  his  heels,  turned  down  a  side  street, 
and  was  lost  to  sight. 

The  next  moment,  Jack  was  gently  taken  by  the  arm,  and 
conducted  across  the  street  into  the  starlight. 

He  saw  that  his  deliverer,  at  the  eleventh  hour,  was  Aven- 
tino. 

"  Is  it  you,  signer  ?  "  asked  the  detective.  "  My  arrival 
was  lucky.  I  was  coming  to  your  house,  saw  the  gleam  of 
the  knife,  and — you  know  the  rest." 

"  Thank  you,  a  thousand  times,"  replied  Jack. 

"  I  feared  the  madman  would  attack  you." 

"  Why  so  ?  " 

"The  police  have  searched  every  low  and  common  lodg- 
ing house  in  the  town,  where  the  lazzaroni  (thieves  and 
beggars),  congregate  at  night,  without  finding  any  trace  of 
the  brigand's  brother." 

"  But  the  baker,  Adriano  ? " 


310     JACK  tiARKA  WA  Y  AMONG  THE 

"  They  have  seen  nothing  of  him." 

"  Then,"  said  Jack,  "  when  he  escaped  by  the  back,  he 
must  have  entered  the  house  from  the  front." 

"  Has  he  been  there  ? " 

"  Wait  and  hear.  He  has  been  concealed  all  the  time 
within  the  house,  until  a  few  minutes  ago,  when  he  again 
escaped,  after  committing  an  awful  crime." 

"  Heavenly  saints  !     What  is  that  ? "  asked  Aventino. 

"  He  went  into  the  nurse's  room  to  kill  my  child.  The 
boy  was  fortunately  with  his  mother." 

"  Ha  !  he  missed  his  stroke." 

"  Not  altogether,"  answered  Jack,  "  he  stabbed  the  woman 
to  the  heart." 

"  Santa  Maria  !  that  is  dreadful,"  exclaimed  the  detective  ; 
"  but  we  will  have  him  before  the  night  is  out." 

"  Do  not  be  too  sure  of  that." 

"  Basto  !    I  will  wager  a  year's  pay  on  it." 

"  He  is  as  cunning  as  a  fox,  and  slippery  as  an  eel." 

"  Most  lunatics  are,  but  I  have  information." 

"  Of  what  nature  ? "  inquired  Jack,  who  was  still  inclined 
to  be  sceptical  as  to  the  chances  of  catching  Guiseppe  Bar- 
boni. 

"  Listen,  signor,"  continued  Aventino  :  "  the  lazzaroni 
have  their  haunts  in  this  Naples  of  ours." 

"  That  is  the  case  in  all  large  cities,  with  the  criminals 
and  mendicants." 

"  They  are  known  to  the  police.  Did  you  not  see  the 
scoundrel  dart  down  that  side  street  on  your  right  ?  " 

"  Yes,  he  seemed  to  know  where  he  was  going." 

"  Certainly  ;  he  has  not  forgotten  the  plan  of  the  city,  or 
the  names  of  the  streets,  though  he  has  been  imprisoned  so 
long.  Well,  in  that  street,  which  is  called  the  Strada  del 
Popolo,  is  a  well-known  refuge  for  the  lazzaroni,  which  has 
gained  the  title  of  the  '  Burnt  Rag.' " 

"  A  strange  designation." 

"  It  is  very  simple,"  replied  Aventino.  "  The  keeper  or 
landlord,  is  one  Buffo,  who  also  maintains  a  second-hand — 
I  ought  to  say  a  tenth-rate  old  clothes'  shop.  If  a  beggar 
or  thief  makes  a  little  money  he  goes  to  Buffo,  buys  a  fresh 
suit,  and  burns  his  rags." 

Jack  could  not  help  smiling  at  this  explanation. 

"  What  makes  you  think  that  he  is  in  hiding  at  Buffo's  ?  * 
he  queried. 


JA  CK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.      3 1 1 

"  Buffo  attends  at  the  prison  gates  every  morning,"  was 
the  reply. 

"  For  what  reason  ?  " 

"  He  goes  at  the  hour  prisoners  are  liberated  and  gives 
each  one  his  card,  on  which  is  written  the  address  of  the 
'  Burnt  Rag,'  and  his  scale  of  charges  for  board  and  lodging. 
Also  he  states  that  he  gives  a  week's  credit  to  enable  them 
to  make  something." 

"  Still  I  am  in  the  dark,"  said  Jack. 

"  I  was  at  the  prison  gate  this  morning,  and  I  saw  Buffo 
present  a  card  to  Guiseppe." 

"  Ah  !  that  is  better." 

"  He  will  not  attempt  any  thing  more  to-night.  He  has 
failed  in  his  attack  on  your  son,  and  in  the  later  one  on  you. 
He  is  tired,  and  wants  refreshment  and  rest.  Where  can  he 
get  it  at  this  late  hour,  except  at  the  renowned  Buffo's?" 

"  That  is  well  reasoned,"  replied  Jack. 

They  walked  a  little  way  down  the  Strada  del  Popolo. 

Before  them  on  the  left-hand  side,  was  a  house  with  a  red 
lamp  over  the  door. 

Aventino  pointed  to  it  with  his  finger. 

"  That's  Buffo's,"  he  continued. 

"  What  will  you  do  now  ? "  asked  Jack. 

"  Get  reinforcements  from  the  police  station  and  make  a 
raid  on  it.  They  are  desperate,  some  of  the  fellows,  and 
stick  together.  That  will  take  me  half  an  hour." 

"  In  that  time,"  suggested  Jack,  "  he  may  have  refreshed 
himself  and  taken  it  into  his  head  to  go  and  sleep  on  the 
beach  or  in  some  dry  corner." 

"  That  is  so,"  admitted  Aventino,  thoughtfully.  "  Will 
you  stay  here,  signer,  and  watch  while  I  go  for  a  police 
platoon  ? " 

"  With  pleasure,"  Jack  replied. 

"  You  will  run  no  risk.  Keep  in  the  shadow  of  a  door- 
way." 

"  All  right,  I  will  watch,  and  if  he  should  go  out >: 

"  Follow  him — and  yet,  that  might  be  dangerous,"  said 
the  detective,  hesitatingly.  "  No,  on  second  thoughts,  wait 
here  till  we  come." 

"  Agreed.     1  shall  await  you." 

Saying  this,  Jack  took  up  his  position  in  a  doorway,  and 
Aventino  hastened  to  the  bureau  of  police. 

So  far,  all  was  well. 


312      JACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

It  would  have  remained  so,  had  it  not  been  for  Hark- 
away's  impatient  and  adventurous  disposition. 

No  sooner  was  he  left  alone,  than  he  was  seized  with  a 
desire  to  go  to  the  door  of  the  lazzaroni's  haunt,  and  listen. 

He  had  heard  that  these  gentry  hold  high  carnival  at  night. 

Perhaps  a  window  would  be  open,  and  he  could  hear  their 
songs  or  ribald  conversations. 

It  would  be  something  to  tell  Harvey  and  Mr.  Mole. 
Accordingly,    instead   of   staying   where    Aventino   had 
placed  and  directed  him   to  remain,  he  went  to  the  door 
with  the  red  light. 

As  he  had  expected,  a  side  window  was  open,  owing  to 
the  heat. 

A  blind  of  the  same  colour  as  the  lamp,  fluttered  in  the 
slight  breeze  that  came  up  from  the  sea. 

Occasionally  he  could  get  a  glimpse  of  those  inside,  and 
could  hear  what  went  on. 

This  is  what  he  saw. 

Half-a-dozen  men  were  seated  round  a  deal  table,  with 
wine  bottles  and  glasses  before  them. 

All  were  smoking  cigarettes  or  cigars. 

Presumably,  the  other  inmates  of  the  establishment  had 
gone  to  bed. 

Two  lamps,  with  reflectors,  flashed  their  light  from  each 
side  of  the  room. 

A  little  man,  with  a  comical  face,  was  standing  on  the 
table,  singing  a  funny  song. 

It  was  about  the  Pope  and  the  Sultan. 

The  Pope,  so  went  the  ditty,  led  a  merry  life,  knowing 
nothing  of  wedded  strife,  but  he  was  allowed  to  drink  his 
wine.  The  Sultan,  on  the  other  hand,  was  forbidden  the 
pleasure  of  the  wine  cup,  but  could  indulge  in  matrimony  to 
any  extent. 

The  refrain  was  to  the  effect  that — 

"  When  my  wife  caresses  me, 
I  fancy  I  the  Sultan  be. 
And  when  the  ruby  wine  I  tope, 
I  fancy  that  I  am  the  Pope ! " 

This  effort  was  received  with  great  applause. 

When  the  singer  finished  he  jumped  from  the  table,  and 
whispered  something  in  the  ear  of  one  who  appeared  to  be 
the  president. 


JA  CK  HA  RKA  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.       3 13 

It  was,  in  fact,  the  illustrious  Buffo  himself. 

He,  in  his  turn,  spoke  to  a  man  sitting  by  his  side,  whom 
Jack,  as  he  turned  his  head,  saw  was  no  other  than  Guiseppe 
Barb  on  i. 

Aventino  was  right  in  his  conjecture. 

The  madman  had  sought  refuge  in  the  "  Burnt  Rag,"  and 
was  the  guest  of  the  lazzaroni. 

A  vile,  dirty,  truculent  crowd  they  seemed. 

As  one  or  two  faces  were  turned  towards  the  window, 
Jack  Harkaway  retreated  a  couple  of  paces. 

He  looked  up  the  street  for  Aventino  and  his  fellow- 
officers. 

But  it  was  not  time  for  them  to  appear  yet. 

In  a  moment,  the  door  opened. 

Two  men  glided  out  noiselessly,  and  a  third  followed. 

He  was  grasped  from  behind. 

Before  he  had  time  to  cry  out  for  assistance,  a  cloth  was 
put  over  his  mouth. 

Without  any  delay,  he  was  dragged  inside  the  house,  the 
door  was  shut,  a  rope  was  passed  round  his  arms,  and  he 
was  led  to  the  lower  end  of  the  table. 

The  cloth  was  then  removed  from  his  face,  and  he  recog- 
nised the  fact  that  he  was  the  captive  of  the  lazzaroni. 

All  had  passed  so  quickly,  that  it  was  like  a  dream. 

He  had  no  doubt  the  singer,  from  his  elevated  position, 
had  seen  him  looking  in  at  the  window. 

This  fact  he  communicated  to  the  manager,  who  in  turn 
had  planned  and  carried  out  the  capture. 

Guiseppe  Barboni  brandished  his  knife.  "  Itis  my  enemy  !  " 
he  cried,  "  the  one  who  hounded  my  brother,  the  brigand,  to 
his  death.  I  demand  his  life." 

Jack  felt  himself  in  a  very  uncomfortable  position. 

He  wished  to  goodness,  now  it  was  too  late,  that  he  had 
not  been  so  venturesome. 

Always  was  he  getting  into  trouble,  because  he,  like  our 
heroic  Nelson  of  old,  knew  not  fear. 

Would  Aventino  and  the  force  never  come  ? 

They  were  his  only  hope  in  this  embarrassing  emergency. 

Buffo  rose  in  his  place,  and  waved  his  hand  with  the  bland 
air  of  a  born  patrician. 

"  Not  so  fast,  amico  mw,"  he  said,  "  you  are  a  stranger 
amongst  us,  as  is  the  signor." 

"  I  say  he  is  a  vile  Englishman,"  cried  Guiseppe. 


314      JACK  HARKA  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS. 

He  was  beside  himself  with  rage. 

"  Silence,  if  you  please,"  continued  the  speaker.  "  I  am 
Buffo,  well  known  as  the  proprietor  of  this  symposium." 

"  What  do  I  care  for  you  ?  " 

"As  much  as  I  do  for  you,  my  friend." 

"  His  life  is  forfeited.     I  will  have  it." 

"  Be  quiet,  or  I  will  either  turn  you  out,  or  put  you  in  the 
cellar." 

"  You  dare  not  do  it." 

"  Per  Baccho  !     I  always  keep  order  in  my  house." 

"  Let  me  kill  him  !  Oh,  heaven !  am  I  to  be  always  baffled  ? " 

"  Your  quarrel  is  none  of  mine,"  added  Buffo.  "  I  want 
to  keep  on  good  terms  with  the  police.  The  signor  was 
seen  spying  by  the  gentleman  who  was  obliging  with  a  song. 
We  thought  that  he  should  be  made  to  pay  his  footing,  so 
we  brought  him  inside." 

"  Death  !  death  !  "  shouted  Guiseppe  Barboni. 

So  violent  was  he,  that  two  men  had  to  restrain  him. 

Had  he  not  been  held  tightly,  he  would  have  flown  at 
Harkaway. 

Then  the  earthly  career  of  the  latter  would  soon  have  been 
over. 

"  Really  you  are  very  impolite,  and  talk  about  an  extremely 
unpleasant  subject,"  said  Buffo. 

"  I  am  in  my  right." 

"  Order !  If  the  signor  will  give  us  what  money  he  has 
about  him,  as  well  as  his  watch  and  rings,  and  pledge  his 
word  of  honour  that  he  will  not  mention  this  little  adventure 
to  our  natural  enemies,  the  police,  he  shall  be  at  liberty  to 
depart." 

Jack  looked  defiantly  at  the  speaker. 

"  Not  a  lire  will  you  get  from  me,"  he  replied. 

"  Then  we  shall  be  under  the  painful  necessity  of  helping 
ourselves." 

"  Try  it  on  ;  you  will  repent  it." 

The  lazzaroni  laughed  at  this  threat. 

He  was  in  the  thieves'  den,  and  was  at  their  mercy,  for 
they  had  bound  his  arms. 

Buffo  advanced  towards  him,  and  was  about  to  put  hi:$ 
hand  in  his  pockets,  when  the  madman  broke  loose. 

He  pushed  aside  those  who  were  restraining  him. 

Foaming  at  the  mouth,  knife  in  hand,  he  rushed  at  Hark- 
away. 


}A  CK  tiAkKA  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.      3 1 5 

The  latter  saw  him  coming. 

To  avoid  the  blow  aimed  at  him,  he  stepped  on  one 
side. 

Buffo  was  in  the  act  of  extracting  his  watch,  a  handsome, 
valuable,  gold  English  lever,  from  his  waistcoat. 

Intent  upon  the  spoliation,  he  did  not  see  Guiseppe,  nor 
hear  the  warning  cries  of  his  lodgers. 

The  consequence  was  that  he  received  the  knife  of  the 
madman  full  in  his  chest. 

With  a  dreadful  cry,  and  an  agonised  expression,  he  fell 
back. 

Yells  of  execration  filled  the  room,  but  no  one  dared  to 
interfere  with  the  madman. 

Jack  Harkaway  ran  towards  the  door. 

Guiseppe  Barboni  followed  him,  shrieking  out  the  most 
horrible  curses. 

The  din  and  uproar  was  fearful. 

Men  who  had  been  in  bed,  appeared  on  the  stairs  in  their 
under  garments  only. 

At  this  critical  juncture,  footsteps  and  voices  were  heard 
outside. 

The  door  was  burst  violently  open. 

Aventino,  at  the  head  of  twelve  men,  made  his  appearance. 

They  were  fully  armed. 

"  Fire  !  "  exclaimed  Aventino. 

There  was  no  time  for  hesitation,  for  the  madman  had 
seized  Jack  by  the  throat. 

The  fateful  knife  was  in  the  act  of  descending,  when  a 
volley  of  bullets  caused  him  to  release  his  hold,  and  fall  on 
the  floor,  a  corpse. 

Guiseppe  Barboni  had  soon  followed  Buffo  and  the  nurse 
to  the  land  of  spirits. 

Every  one  in  the  house  was  arrested,  and  the  premises 
put  under  a  guard. 

Aventino  cut  the  cord  which  bound  Jack's  arms,  and  walked 
with  him  to  the  Strada  di  Toledo. 

They  had  quitted  Barboni's  brother  for  ever. 

At  the  same  time,  Harkaway  had  experienced  one  of  the 
narrowest  escapes  he  had  ever  had  in  his  life. 

When  he  reached  home,  and  told  his  story,  he  was  heartily 
congratulated  by  his  friends. 

Monday,  faithful  fellow,  almost  cried  over  his  beloved 
master. 


3 1 6     JACK  HA  RKA  WAY  A  MONG  THE  BRIG  A  NDS. 

Mr.  Mole  and  Harvey  celebrated  the  occasion  with  cham- 
pagne. 

Jack  gave  Aventino  a  handsome  reward,  which  he  greatly 
deserved,  and  when  the  dawn  was  breaking  they  retired,  feel- 
ing that  they  could  rest  in  peace,  and  that  the  shadow 

which  had  hung  over  them  was,  at  last,  removed. 

****** 

A  week  passed  rapidly  away.  Emily  was  on  the  high  road 
to  recovery  and  ready  to  travel. 

Jack  had  made  all  necessary  arrangements  to  go  by  sea  to 
Marseilles ;  from  where  they  would  take  the  train  de  luxe 
from  the  Riviera  to  Calais. 

Emily  was  seated  in  front  of  her  bedroom  window,  gazing 
out  on  the  ever  beautiful  bay — her  heart  full  of  gratitude  to 
Providence  for  the  restoration  of  her  boy,  the  flight  of  Hun- 
ston,  the  death  of  the  two  Barbonis,  and  the  narrow  escape 
of  all  from  being  poisoned — when  Jack,  with  his  usual  im- 
petuosity, burst  into  the  room,  exclaiming — 

"  We  sail  for  England  to-morrow,  darling." 

"To-morrow?"  she  said,  joyfully. 

"  Yes.  I  shall  take  passage  presently  in  the  first  steamer 
of  the  Messageries  Imperiales  line." 

"  Who  goes  with  us  ? " 

"  Harvey  and  Hilda,  Mr.  Mole  as  the  youngster's  tutor 
and  Monday." 

"  What  of  our  American  friend  ? " 

"  Oh,  he  goes  on  to  Rome.  He  has  not  yet  done  what  he 
calls  his  European  tour,"  said  Jack. 

"  And  Mr.  Campbell  ?  " 

"  He  marries  Lily  Cockles  to-morrow  before  we  start,  and 
they  are  going  to  Switzerland." 

"  So  we  separate,  after  all  the  exciting  events  we  have 
gone  through,"  said  Emily. 

"  Certainly,"  replied  Jack ;"  and  now  we'll  have  a  bottle 
of  wine.  I've  licked  the  brigand,  and  I'm  as  jolly  as  a  sand- 
boy." 

****** 

All  was  over. 

The  Englishmen  had  kept  their  oath,  and  hunted  down 
Barboni  and  his  formidable  band. 

So  Jack  Harkaway  went  back  to  England  with  his  wife  and 
child. 

Mr.  Mole  was  young  Jack's  tutor. 


fACK  HARK  A  WA  Y  AMONG  THE  BRIGANDS.      317 

The  long  absence  of  Harkaway  had  compelled  the  Horse 
Guards  to  supersede  him. 

Not  caring  for  this,  he  took  up  his  residence  with  Harvey, 
and  devoted  himself  for  the  ensuing  winter  to  a  country  gen- 
'.leman's  life. 

But  this  was  not  to  last  long. 

Stirring  events  were  before  him* 

Hunston  still  lived. 


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1  Adrift  in  New  York 

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5  Bound  to  Rise 

6  Brave  and  Bold 

7  Cash  Boy,  The 

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0  Cousin's  Conspiracy,  A 

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13  Facing  the  World 

14  Five  Hundred  Dollars 

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16  Grit;  The  Young  Boatmati 

17  Herbert  Carter's  Legacy 

18  Hector's  Inheritance 

19  Helping  Himself 

20  In  a  New  World 

21  Jack's  Ward 

22  Jed,  the  Poor  House  Boy 

23  Joe's  Luck 


26  Making  His  Way 

27  Mark  Mason's  Victory 

28  Only  an  Irish  Boy     ' 

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30  Phil,  the  Fiddler 

31  Ralph  Raymond's  Heir 

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33  Sam's  Chance 

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38  Strive  and  Succeed 

39  Strong  and  Steady 

40  Struggling  Upward 

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42  Tom,  the  Boot-Black 

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44  Try  and  Trust 

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46  W.  Sherwood's  Probation 

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Relates  the  experience  of  a  faithful  messenger  boy  in  a  large  city,  who  in 
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